Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has sentenced a 52-year-old man, Ilori Elicanah, to five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of solid minerals.
The court presided over by Justice Abimbola Awogboro found Elicanah guilty of mining and possessing solid minerals without lawful authority.
The offence is contrary to the provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1983.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in October 2024 arraigned the convict on a one-count charge bordering on illegal possession of solid minerals.
Elicanah was accused to have in September, 2022 without lawful, permit mined tonnes of minerals conveyed in truck contrary to the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17, 1983.
In his judgment, the Presiding judge held that the prosecution had successfully established all the ingredients of the offence in compliance with Section 131 of the Evidence Act.
Justice Awogboro gave him an option of a ₦5 million fine, while also ordering the forfeiture of the truck and the seized solid minerals to the Federal Government.
