EFCC secures conviction of truck driver, docks another for illegal mining

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, secured the conviction of a 25-year-old truck driver, Nuhu Musa, from Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State for unlawful possession of solid minerals confirmed to be lepidolite.

The Commission also docked another 50-year-old truck driver, Raheem Busari, over similar offence. 

Lepidolite is one of the raw materials which unlicensed mining operators usually transport to China through illegal means for the production of batteries for vehicles, cell phones, cameras and other electronic devices, an act punishable under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983″

The defendant, who was prosecuted before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin upon arraignment in September 2022 pleaded not guilty to the charge, but changed his plea to “guilty” when the case came up for hearing on Wednesday.

Following the “guilty plea”, counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, reviewed the facts of the case.

He tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendant, response from the Nigerian Geological Agency, including the particulars of the truck, which the court admitted in evidence.

Ola, thereafter urged the court to hold that the prosecution had established its case against the defendant to warrant his conviction.

Justice Sani, in his judgement said that the court found merit in the case of the prosecution and he pronounced the defendant guilty.

Consequently, the judge sentenced Musa to four months’ imprisonment with option of fine of N200,000.

He also ordered that the 40 tons of minerals recovered from the convict at the point of arrest be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The Commission also arraigned Busari for allegedly being in possession of 30 tons of minerals.

However, Busari pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

The defendant’s counsel, Olabisi Salako told the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client and that same had been served on the prosecution.

Responding, the prosecution counsel, Sesan Ola urged the court to allow him time to study and respond to the application.

Justice Sani, thereafter ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre pending the hearing of the bail application on Thursday.