Two Suspected Illegal Miners Face Charges in Taraba Mobile Court
Two individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities found themselves facing legal action as they were arraigned before the Special Mobile Court Committee in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State.
The suspects, identified as Abdulmajid Shuaibu, aged 45, and Nicholas Atalor, aged 54, hailing from Bauchi State, were brought before the court by the Special Task Force Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Deforestation Prohibition.
The arrests were made by the task force, led by retired General Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa, in Zaga village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Bali Local Government Council.
It was alleged that the suspects were caught in the act of loading a truck with lithium in Zaga, a blatant violation of Executive Order No. 5 issued by Governor Agbu Kefas.
Notably, Governor Kefas had, upon assuming office, enforced a suspension on mining activities and deforestation within the state.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Christopher Rimamshaki, argued that the actions of the suspects contravened specific provisions outlined in Sections 10 and 12 of the Taraba State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2021.
The defense counsels representing both defendants, however, pleaded with the court for bail, emphasizing the need for time to adequately prepare for the case.
While the suspects entered pleas of not guilty to the charges brought against them, Justice Useni Galadima, the presiding judge, ordered their remand in the correctional center.
The next hearing for the case has been scheduled for September 21, marking a significant development in the legal pursuit of those suspected of illegal mining activities in Taraba State.