Muhammed was arrested and arraigned by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economy and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for being in possession of solid minerals confirmed by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), to be lepidolite, montmorillonite and chrysocolla, without lawful authority.
Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State has convicted and sentenced a 37-year-old truck driver identified as Buba Muhammed, to one-year imprisonment for illegal mining in the state.
Muhammed was arrested and arraigned by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economy and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for being in possession of solid minerals confirmed by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), to be lepidolite, montmorillonite and chrysocolla, without lawful authority.
Lepidolite is one of the raw materials used in the production of batteries for vehicles, cell phones, cameras and other electronic devices.
The EFCC explained that Muhammed began his journey to the Nigerian Correctional Service’s Custodial Centre on August 30, 2022, when he was arrested by its operatives while acting on credible intelligence at Lade, Pategi Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The convict was one of the 13 suspects arrested by operatives of the EFCC while trying to transport a truckload of assorted minerals for sale outside the state. Buba was prosecuted on one count by the anti-graft commission.
Muhammed had pleaded guilty to the charge, hence, the counsel for the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, reviewed the facts of the case and thereafter prayed the court to convict the defendant as charged.
In his ruling, the trial judge, Justice Sani on Tuesday sentenced Muhammed to one-year imprisonment with N400,000 as an option for fine and also ordered the forfeiture of the truck and the minerals to the Nigerian Government.