Court jails two, fines company for illegal mining in Kwara

A Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has convicted and sentenced two individuals, Samuel Sunday and Saheed Lawal Akanji, along with his company Saaskrona Nigeria Limited, for engaging in illegal mining. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced the convictions, stating that its Ilorin Zonal Directorate successfully prosecuted the defendants.

The convicts were arraigned before Justice Abimbola Awogboro on charges related to unlawful dealing in and processing of solid minerals without the necessary licenses, violating the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007. The EFCC's investigation was prompted by credible intelligence indicating illegal processing and trading of solid minerals in Kwara State.

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Their journey to jail followed credible intelligence received by the Commission, alleging that some individuals were illegally dealing in and processing solid minerals in Kwara State without the requisite licences.

Operatives conducted surveillance, leading to the arrest of the suspects at separate locations in Eiyenkorin, Ilorin. Sunday was apprehended at his factory in the Olorunda area, while Akanji was arrested at his factory opposite Ojaja University. Investigations confirmed that the defendants were unlawfully processing and dealing in various minerals, including Smithsonite, Calcite, Anhydrite, Tennantite, and Quartz, without the requisite licenses.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. Justice Awogboro sentenced Samuel Sunday to 12 months imprisonment with an option of a N2 million fine. Additionally, 140 tonnes of mineral ore recovered from his site were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. Saheed Lawal Akanji also received a 12-month prison sentence with an option of a N1 million fine.

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Investigations revealed that the defendants were unlawfully dealing in and processing various solid minerals, including Smithsonite, Calcite, Anhydrite, Tennantite, and Quartz, without the licences required under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.