Federal High Court delivers judgment
A Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin has convicted a truck driver, Kasimu Bawa, for unlawful possession of lithium-bearing minerals valued at N2.4 million.
The court sentenced the 50-year-old driver to two years in prison. However, the judgment also gave him the option of paying a N5 million fine.
Court orders forfeiture of truck and minerals
Justice Abimbola Awogboro delivered the judgment in Ilorin.
In addition to the sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of the truck used for transporting the minerals.
The judge also directed that the seized 25 tonnes of lithium-bearing minerals be handed over to the Federal Government.
EFCC links case to illegal mining crackdown
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecuted the case through its Ilorin Zonal Directorate.
According to the commission, the conviction forms part of its ongoing crackdown on illegal mining activities in Kwara State.
Officials said the arrest followed an operation targeting unlawful transportation of minerals within the state.
Driver arrested while transporting minerals
The EFCC disclosed that Bawa was arrested on September 9, 2022, along Tsaragi Road in Share, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He was transporting 25 tonnes of suspected illegally mined minerals in a DAF truck with registration number KEY 777ZF.
Investigators valued the minerals at N2,498,000.
Chinese national earlier convicted
The commission said the truck transported minerals allegedly purchased without a valid mining licence.
According to the EFCC, the minerals belonged to a Chinese national identified as Gang Deng.
The court had earlier sentenced Deng to five years imprisonment on October 19, 2022.
Defendant pleaded not guilty
Following investigations, authorities arraigned Bawa before the court on November 1, 2022.
He faced a one-count charge bordering on unlawful possession of minerals without legal authority.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty, leading to a full trial.
Witnesses confirm minerals contained lithium
During the proceedings, the prosecution called two witnesses, including Ifarinde Odeyemi of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency.
Odeyemi told the court that laboratory tests confirmed the minerals were lepidolite, a lithium-bearing substance.
The prosecution also presented the investigating officer as a witness.
Meanwhile, the defence called two witnesses, including the defendant himself.
Court rules prosecution proved its case
In his final address, prosecuting counsel, Innocent Mbachie, urged the court to convict the defendant.
He argued that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He also requested the forfeiture of the truck and minerals.
Justice Awogboro agreed with the prosecution and found Bawa guilty.
EFCC vows to sustain crackdown
The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to tackling illegal mining activities across the country.
Officials warned individuals involved in unlawful mineral operations to desist or face prosecution.
The commission also stressed the importance of protecting Nigeria’s natural resources from illegal exploitation.
