A Federal High Court, sitting in Minna has sentenced five people to jail in Niger state for illegal mining activities.
Presiding Judge, Justice Abdullahi M. Dan-Ige convicted and sentenced the quintet of Yusuf Amadu, Babila Sani, Ibrahim Umar, Ephraim Jonas Okoro and Saidu following their arraignment by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on separate one-count charges on illegal mining.
Different Charges
The convicts were arrested following credible intelligence that exposed their illegal mining activities in Minna Local Government Area and Kateregi Community in Kacha Local Government of Niger state and as such were charged differently.
Amadu’s charge read: “That you, Yusuf Amadu on or about 14th November, 2024 in Kacha, Minna, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court had in your possession, precious stones without licence and you there by committed an offence contrary to Section 131(d) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 134(b) of the same Act.”
That of Umar read: “That you, of Ibrahim Umar, male, sometime in November, 2024 in Minna, Niger State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court had in your possession, precious stones without licence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 131(d) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 134(b) of the same Act.”
They all pleaded “guilty” to their charges and were sentenced to one year imprisonment or to pay N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, each.
National Clampdown on Illegal Mining Activities
Nigeria has intensified its clampdown on illegal mining activities in recent times as part of efforts to curb environmental degradation, loss of government revenue, and worsening insecurity linked to unregulated mining operations.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and security agencies, has launched coordinated raids across several states,especially mineral-rich states such as Zamfara, Osun, Niger, and Kaduna in recent months arresting illegal miners and confiscating equipment used in unauthorized mineral extraction.
The government has also announced stricter licensing requirements, community monitoring initiatives, and plans to formalize artisanal mining operations to ensure that mineral resources contribute meaningfully to national development and as part of a broader strategy to sanitize the mining sector.
