A Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has convicted two individuals and a company for engaging in illegal mining in violation of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
The convictions followed their prosecution by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of the Commission’s ongoing crackdown on illegal mining and efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday convicted Samuel Sunday, who was arraigned on a one-count charge, and Saheed Lawal Akanji alongside his company, Saaskrona Nigeria Limited, who were separately arraigned on two-count charges.
According to the EFCC, the convictions underscore its resolve to combat illegal mining activities that undermine the nation’s economy, deprive the government of legitimate revenue and cause significant environmental degradation.
The Commission also noted that illegal mining has contributed to insecurity in many mineral-rich communities, stressing that the prosecution is intended to serve as a strong warning to offenders while encouraging legitimate operators to comply with the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
“The EFCC remains committed to enforcing the law and ensuring that Nigeria’s mineral wealth is not plundered by illegal operators,” the Commission said.
It added that the convictions should serve as a deterrent to others engaged in unlawful mining activities.