The Federal Government, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), has brought charges against Oba Taofeeq Olaposi Osunmakinde, the Obawure of Ifetuntun in Osun State, and four others in the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged illegal gold mining activities in Ondo State.
Oba Taofeeq, along with Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim, and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited, faced two counts of illegal mining.
AGF counsel Toluwalope Ojo stated that the five defendants conspired with individuals at large on August 25, 2024, to illegally mine gold at the Ogunlepo mining site in Lege community, located in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Ojo emphasized that their actions violated Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act of 2004 and are punishable under Section 1(8) of the same Act.
The AGF’s counsel further noted that the monarch and his co-defendants engaged in gold mining without the necessary license, contrary to Section 1(8) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
In response to the charges, the monarch and the four defendants pleaded not guilty.
Defendants’ counsel, Vincent Ododo, requested the judge to grant bail on several grounds, including the fact that the first defendant is a prominent traditional ruler and that the charges do not carry a capital punishment penalty. He assured the court that the defendants would not evade trial.
Presiding Judge Justice Emeka Nwite granted bail to each defendant at N20 million, requiring one surety in the same amount.
The judge stipulated that the sureties must reside in Abuja, possess landed property, and provide a three-year tax clearance certificate.
Additionally, the defendants were ordered to submit their international passports along with three recent passport-sized photographs to the deputy chief registrar of the court.
The judge directed that they be remanded in the Kuje correctional facility until their bail conditions are satisfied.
The case is adjourned to September 26, 2024, for trial.
