Traditional Ruler, 4 Others Arraigned For Illegal Gold Mining In Abuja

A traditional ruler in Osun State, Oba Taofeeq Olaposi Osunmakinde, was on Monday arraigned  for engaging in illegal Gold mining in Lege Community, Odigbo Local Government , Ondo State.

Oba Osunmakinde, who is the Obawore of Ifetuntun, Ife Central Local Government, Osun State, had charges preferred against him and four others: Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited.

Team@orientactualmags.com  learned that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation filed a lawsuit against Oba Osunmakinde and four others at the Federal High Court, Abuja accusing them of conspiring with others at large to engage in illegal mining of Gold at the Ogunlepo mining site in Lege community, Odigbo local government , Ondo State on August 25, 2024,.

The alleged offence is contrary to section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable under section 1(8) of the same Act.

The monarch and others were also alleged to have undertaken gold mining on August 25 without lawful authority contrary to section 1(8) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and punishable under the same Act.

They however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel for the AGF, Toluwalope Alex Ojo, thereafter, asked Justice Emeka Nwite to give the federal government a date to open its case against the defendants.

Although  Ojo did not object to the bail application made by the lawyer for the defendants he, however, urged  the judge to compel them to deposit their international passports with the court.

Counsel for the defendants, Vincent Ododo urged Justice Nwite to admit them to bail  submitting  that the 1st defendant is a well-known traditional ruler and that the charges against the defendants do not carry capital punishment while also assuring that they would not fail to appear in court for trial.

Justice Nwite  later set the bail of the defendants at N20m  each with one surety in the like sum.

The sureties, he noted,  must be residents of Abuja with ownership of landed properties and must produce a three-year tax clearance certificate.

He also added that they should be kept in Kuje Correctional Centre until they satisfy the bail conditions-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you