Illegal mining: Taskforce impounds 21 trucks of coal

Following the federal government’s announcement on its plan to check illegal mining, the Kogi State government sprang into action with a corresponding enforcement action by setting up a Joint Taskforce comprising Police, NSCDC, The State Security Service, Federal Mines Office, Kogi State, State Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources and Kogi State Vigilante Service (KSVS).

To this end, between 18 December 2023 and 7 January 2024 a total of twenty-one trucks (21) trucks loaded with coal, amounting to Nine hundred and forty-five (945) tons , being product of illegal mining were impounded.

Consequently, on 8 January 2024, an application was filed before the Federal High Court, Lokoja seeking an Order of forfeiture of the Nine hundred and forty-five (945) tons of coal to Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

This is as result of the announcement by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, in December 2023 restated the ban on illegal mining activities by the Federal Government.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Etazuma Mining & Industries Limited and Koyla Energy Limited, Partha Ghosh.

Subsequently, on 18 January 2024, the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Abdul Dogo granted an interim forfeiture Order for the 945 tons of coal to the federal government.

The Court directed that, the Notice of Order be pasted in public places including Federal High Court, State High Court and various mining sites in Ankpa LGA, where the products were impounded for any interested person to show why the Order should not be made absolute/final.

The pasting/publication should be done within 7 days after the date of this Order, while the return date for the final Order is 1 February 2024.

The Applicant should file affidavit of compliance with pictures to prove the publication.