A traditional ruler in Osun State, Oba Taofeeq Olaposi Osunmakinde was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged illegal gold mining in Lege Community, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo state.
Oba Osunmakinde who is the Obawore of Ifetuntun in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun state was arraigned by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice in Abuja along with four others on two count charges on Monday.
Others arraigned along with the traditional ruler are, Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited.
The Attorney accused the five defendants of conspiring with others at large on August 25, 2024 to engage in illegal mining of mineral resources known as gold at Ogunlepo mining site in Lege community, Odigbo local government area of Ondo state.
The alleged offense is said to be contrary to section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable under section 1(8) of the same Act.
The monarch and his co-defendants were also alleged to have undertaken mining of gold mineral resources on August 25 without lawful authority contrary to section 1(8) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and punishable under the same Act.
However, all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
Counsel to the AGF, Toluwalope Alex Ojo thereafter prayed the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite for date for the prosecution to open its case against the defendants.
Although, the prosecution counsel, Ojo did not object to the bail of the defendants, he however requested the court to compel them to deposit their international passport with the court.
Counsel to the defendants, Vincent Ododo who moved consolidated bail applications for his clients pleaded with Justice Nwite to admit them to bail on various grounds.
Part of the grounds he cited were that the 1st defendant is a well known traditional ruler and that the charges against them did not carry capital punishment while also assuring that the defendants would not fail to appear in court for trial.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite admitted them to bail in the sum of N20 million each with one surety in the like sum.
The Judge ordered that the sureties must be resident in Abuja with ownership of landed properties and must produce three years tax clearance certificate.
In addition, Justice Nwite ordered that the defendants must deposit their international passports along with three copies each of their recent passport photographs with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court.
Pending the perfection of their bail conditions, the Judge ordered that they be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja..
Meanwhile, Justice Nwite has adjourned the trial of the defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/426/2024 to September 26, 2024.
