Alleged Illegal Mining: Court discharges, acquits 16 Chinese, 10 locals

A Federal High Court in Jos on Tuesday discharged and acquitted 26 persons charged with illegal mining at Zurak in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau.
Abdullahi Adamu, also called “Dan-China’’, 16 Chinese nationals and nine other locals were charged before the court for illegal mining.
Giving ruling, Justice Musa Kurya, said: “based on the application moved by Victor Joshua and which was not opposed, the case is hereby dismissed’’.
Kurya said: “The 26 accused persons are hereby discharged and acquitted.’’
The judged then ordered that all their documents including their passports in possession of the court be released to them with immediate effect.
The Prosecution had alleged that the alleged crime was committed between 2015 and 2017.
The prosecution also averred that the illegal act had disposed poisonous minerals and therefore committed offences punishable under Miscellaneous Offences Act of Nigeria 2004.
The government had also averred that the offences were punishable under the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
Earlier, Victor Joshua, the prosecutor informed the court on his intention to withdraw the charges against the defendants on the instruction of the government.
According to him, the government is no longer interested in prosecuting the case.
Joshua said: “My Lord, I have received a directive from the Attorney General of Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, ordering me to come and withdraw the case against all the 26 accused persons.
“This directive is in pursuant to Section 108 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and I hereby wish to make a formal application for the withdrawal of the case against all the accused persons.
“By this directive, the defendants are not illegal miners and all the charges against them are hereby dropped and all their documents, collected in respect to this case, be returned to them.”
Joseph Danboyi who held the brief of Paul Erokoro (SAN), Counsel to the defendants, did not object to the application.
Danboyi said: “My Lord, by this good and positive development, we have no reason to object but celebrate it in its totality.
“This is the reason why we are in court, to tell the world that the defendants have done no wrong against the state.
“We are extremely happy that they have been vindicated. From today, all the 26 accused persons are free people, who can go and continue with their businesses without any fear.’’