The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Directorate, has secured the conviction of three defendants, including a mining company, for unlawful possession of solid minerals, with 58.23 tonnes of lithium and lead ore forfeited to the Federal Government.
The convicts are Abdullahi Dauda, of Great River Mining Company Limited, and Mohammed Aminu, a truck driver who transported the minerals.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Ilorin, Kwara State, delivered the judgements in two separate cases instituted by the EFCC against the defendants.
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Dauda was charged with unlawful possession of 18 tonnes of solid minerals, identified as lithium, conveyed in a truck with registration number SKK-93-XB, without lawful authority in February 2026.
In the second case, Great River Mining Company Limited and Aminu were charged with possessing 40.23 tonnes of lead ore allegedly derived from illegal mining activities, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges during the proceedings.
Following their pleas, EFCC prosecutors, Innocent Mbachie and Mustapha Kaigama, urged the court to convict them, relying on their admissions of guilt, the unchallenged evidence presented and relevant provisions of the law.
In her judgement, Justice Awogboro sentenced Dauda to 12 months’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
The court also ordered the owner of the truck used to transport the 18 tonnes of lithium to pay ₦5 million into the EFCC Recovery Account, while the mineral was forfeited to the Federal Government through the commission.
Similarly, Great River Mining Company Limited and Aminu were each sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
The court further ordered the owner of the truck conveying the 40.23 tonnes of lead ore to pay ₦5 million into the EFCC Recovery Account and directed that the mineral be forfeited to the Federal Government through the commission.
The forfeitures bring the total quantity of minerals recovered in the two cases to 58.23 tonnes, comprising 18 tonnes of lithium and 40.23 tonnes of lead ore.
The convictions underscore the legal consequences of engaging in illegal mining and the unlawful possession or handling of minerals linked to criminal activities.
