An Akure Magistrate Court has remanded 15 persons in the Nigeria Correctional Centre for illegally mining gold inside Owo forest reserve.
The suspects are: Yesupa Masaubu, Kabiru Shuaibu, Abdullai Masuru, Jemiru Alasa, Sapianu Alaka, Saliu Haruna, Hulusa Sheibu, Habibu Mohammed, Iliasu Kabiru and Aminu Amadu.
Others were: Alikasehu Mohammed, Sifianu Musa, Habinu Muhammad, Aminu Halilu, and Sanni Garba.
During parade, the suspects said they have mining gold in the area since 2019.
They reportedly committed the crime on February 3, 2021.
State Prosecutor, Barrister Olusegun Akeredolu, informed the court that the defendants trespassed on a part of government forest reserve in which trespassing is prohibited by the order of the Governor.
Akeredolu said they engaged in illegal mining inside the forest.
The suspects were arraigned on three counts charges bothering on entering government reserve, violating Governor rule and engaging themselves in illegal mining.
Akeredolu said the offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 517, of Criminal Code Law, Cap. 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006. 131 (a)&(b), 134(b) of Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and 41(1) (g) of Forestry Law, Cap 56, Vol. 2, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The pleas of the defendants were not taken as one of them suddenly collapsed.
He was revived after several minutes and the presiding Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, ordered that water, milk, and malt be bought for him.
The magistrate ordered men of the Amotekun Corps to take him to police hospital for proper treatment.
Counsel to the defendants, Chief Yemi Salau, in an oral bail application requested for the most liberal term and promised to provide reliable sureties.
But Akeredolu, who opposed the bail application, said it was a great offence to violate the rules of Mr. Governor.
He said the court lacked jurisdiction to try the case and urged the court to remand the defendants in Owo and Ondo correction centers pending the legal advice of Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.
Damilola Sekoni, the presiding magistrate, remanded the defendants to Owo and Ondo Correctional Centres while he adjourned the case till March 26, 2021.
Source: The Nation
