Truck Driver Jailed For Illegal Mining Of Materials Used For Making Car Batteries In Kwara, His Truck Forfeited

Truck driver jailed 1-year for illegal mining of materials, including on used for making car batteries in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The judge also ordered the forfeiture of his truck and the minerals to the Federal Government.

A Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State has sentenced a truck driver, Buba Muhammed, to one-year imprisonment for the possession of solid minerals, lepidolite, montmorillonite and chrysocolla, without lawful authority.

Lepidolite, one of the materials confirmed by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), is used in the production of batteries for vehicles, cell phones, cameras and other electronic devices.

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The judge, Justice Muhammed Sani, also ordered the forfeiture of the truck used as means of transportation of the illegally acquired minerals to the Federal Government.

The 37 year old truck driver was one of the 13 suspects arrested by operatives of the EFCC, while trying to transport a truck-load of assorted minerals for sale outside the State.

Buba was prosecuted on one-count charge by EFCC, which he had pleaded guilty to. Following his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, reviewed the facts of the case and thereafter prayed the court to convict the defendant as charged.

Justice Sani, having found merit in the case of the prosecution on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 sentenced Buba to one year imprisonment with N400,000 as option of fine. He also ordered the forfeiture of the truck and the minerals to the Federal Government.

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