Taraba convicts 46 persons for illegal mining, tree felling

Taraba state government says it has secured the conviction of 46 persons involved in illegal mining and violation of environmental laws in the state.

Jeremiah Faransa, the chairman of the task force on implementing the ban on illegal mining and deforestation, spoke on Thursday in Jalingo, the state capital.

Faransa said the culprits were found to be involved in the illegal felling and processing of trees from different parts of the state.

He said 39 people were convicted for the illegal cutting of trees and seven others for illegal mining, adding that the conviction was carried out by a mobile court.

The chairman said over 100 trucks carrying different kinds of wood out of the state have been impounded.

Faransa said the task force also discovered severe infractions in mining operations after visiting most mining sites in the state.

“Adequate sensitisation has been made on this new policy and whoever claims ignorance will face the full wrath of the law because ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” he said.

“We have a mobile court which is a court of summary jurisdiction and the full weight of justice shall be applied to the offenders.

“Already those who had been convicted are provided with an option of fine or will go to jail.”

Faransa added that logging and mining activities have been suspended by the government, pending the production of guidelines.