Court Convicts Mining Firm and Individuals for Illegal Ore

A Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, convicted Abdullahi Dauda, Great River Mining Company Limited, and Mohammed Aminu for unlawfully possessing 58.23 tonnes of lithium and lead ore. Each was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, with an option of a N1m fine.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the minerals to the Federal Government and mandated the owners of the trucks used for transportation to pay N10m into the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's recovery account. The EFCC disclosed that Dauda was found with 18 tonnes of solid minerals in February 2026, while Great River Mining Company Limited and Aminu possessed 40.23 tonnes of lead ore.

The defendants pleaded guilty, leading to their conviction by Justice Abimbola Awogboro, who based the judgment on their admissions of guilt and the evidence presented.