The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N20 million bail to three traditional rulers, including Taofeeq Olaposi Osunmakinde, totalling N80 million, in a case involving suspected illicit gold mining in Ondo State .
After their arraignment on Monday, September 9, 2024, Osunmakinde, Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim, and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited were granted bail by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The Minister of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation accused them of engaging in illicit mining activities in violation of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and other pertinent legislation. What took place in court The defendants in Case No. FHC/ABJ/CR/426/2024 were arraigned at the Monday’s resumed proceedings. As stated in the read-out charge sheet.
The defendants were discovered plotting to mine gold without the proper authorisation from the relevant authorities at an illegal mining location in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, according to the charge sheet that the court registrar read aloud. Within the court’s jurisdiction, on August 25, 2024, this development was reported to have taken place.
They were also charged with engaging in illegal gold mining, which is one of Nigeria’s mineral resources. The prosecution claimed that Nigerian rules penalise unlawful mining. Nevertheless, the four suspects entered a not guilty plea after being informed of the charge.
Following their plea, Vincent Ododo, the defendants’ attorney, pleaded with Justice Emeka Nwite to grant his clients liberal bail. He argued that the purported transgressions indicated by the AGF were subject to bail under national law. In addition, he said that since his clients are assumed innocent unless and until the court finds them guilty, bail is a fundamental right. The prosecution’s legal team requested bail terms that would guarantee the defendants’ presence in court for the duration of the trial.
The AGF were subject to bail under national law. In addition, he said that since his clients are assumed innocent unless and until the court finds them guilty, bail is a fundamental right. The prosecution’s legal team requested bail terms that would guarantee the defendants’ presence in court for the duration of the trial.
