Two persons have been arrested, prosecuted and convicted for illegal possession of minerals (gemstones).
The duo, Emeka Ezema and Ye Kachi who were arrested on the 5th of July, 2022, in Cross River State, were found in possession of 300g of Tourmaline, without any form of authorization or license from the Ministry as stipulated in section 2, 93, 94 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA) 2007 and Regulation 133 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulation (NMMR) 2011.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Media, at the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs Etore Thomas and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The statement reads: “The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in collaboration with the Legal Unit of the Department of State Services, Cross River State arraigned the two suspects in court on Wednesday, 13th July 2022, charged with: Conspiracy to commit felony to wit: possession of Tourmaline without a license under section 516 of the Criminal Code; and Unlawful Possession of Tourmaline: contrary to section 93 and punishable under section 146(2) of the NMMA 2007.
“The two had pleaded guilty to the offences charged against them and were convicted accordingly.
“Subsequently, the Court on Tuesday 26th July 2022 also granted Engr. Mayowa Omosebi, Federal Mines Officer (FMO), Cross River State to take possession of the forfeited 300g of Tourmaline according to section 146(2) of the NMMA 2007.
“Omosebi has confirmed that he is in possessions of the forfeited 300g of Tourmaline and also suggested that the stones be disposed of at the current market value as stipulated in the Ministry’s reviewed rates for minerals which came into effect on the 1st of May, 2022, and that the minerals be auctioned only to a person who has valid license to purchase and possess minerals.
“The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, while commending the Federal Mines Officer (FMO), Omosebi and the Department of State Service for acting swiftly in the arrest and the conviction of the suspects said the action will serve as a deterrent to others who may wish to go that route in the future, “this is also a good one for the Ministry and would serve to show that the Ministry actually has the power to convict criminals in the Solid Minerals Sector’’.
