Traditional ruler, 4 others remanded for illegal gold mining in Osun

Traditional ruler, 4 others remanded for illegal gold mining in Osun

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a traditional ruler, Oba Taofeeq Osunmakinde, and four others in Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations of illegal gold mining.

This decision came on Monday after the defendants were arraigned by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over the case, directed the detention of Oba Osunmakinde, the Obawore of Ifetuntun in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun, and his co-defendants.

The co-defendants include Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim, and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited. The court ordered their remand pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.

The five defendants are accused of engaging in illegal gold mining in the Lege community of Odigbo Local Government Area in Ondo State. The charges filed against them are in connection with an alleged conspiracy on August 25 to mine gold unlawfully at the Ogunlepo mining site in the same area.

The charges brought forward by the AGF are based on the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004. If found guilty, the accused could face penalties under Sections 3(6) and 1(8) of the Act.

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During the court proceedings, all five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution, led by counsel Toluwalope Ojo, did not oppose the defendants’ bail request but urged the court to order them to surrender their international passports.

Vincent Ododo, representing the accused, presented a consolidated bail application, noting that the charges against them did not involve capital punishment.

He further emphasized that the first defendant, being a respected traditional ruler, would not evade the trial.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N20 million with one surety of equal value. The sureties are required to reside in Abuja, possess landed property, and present a three-year tax clearance certificate.

Additionally, the defendants must submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the court’s deputy chief registrar.

The case has been adjourned to September 26, 2024, for trial, with the defendants remaining in custody until their bail conditions are met.

Traditional ruler, 4 others remanded for illegal gold mining in Osun