Court remands Osun traditional ruler over ‘illegal gold mining’ in Ondo

The federal government has arraigned Taofeeq Osunmakinde, the Obawore of Ifetuntun in Ife central LGA of Osun state, over alleged illegal gold mining.

The traditional and four others were arraigned on Monday at the federal high court in Abuja on a two-count charge.

The other defendants are Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim, and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, on behalf of the federal government, accused the defendants and others at large of engaging in illegal gold mining at the Ogunlepo mining site in the Lege community under Odigbo LGA of Ondo state.

The AGF said the offences contravened sections 3(6) and 1(8) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004.

THE BAIL APPLICATION

During the proceedings, Vincent Ododo, the counsel to defendants, moved the consolidated bail applications of his clients.

Ododo told the court that the first defendant is a well-known traditional ruler, noting that the charges against him are not capital offences.

The counsel assured the court that all the defendants would appear before the court if granted bail.

Toluwalope Ojo, the counsel to the AGF, did not oppose the bail applications but asked the court to request for the defendants’ passports.

In his ruling, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N20 million each with one surety in the like sum.

The judge ordered that the sureties must be residents of Abuja with ownership of landed property and a three-year tax clearance certificate.

He also ordered that the defendants must deposit their passports along with three copies of each of their recent passport photographs with the deputy chief registrar of the court.

The judge ordered the defendants to be remanded in a correctional facility pending their bail perfection.