The Federal Government has stepped up its crackdown on illegal mining activities, arraigning a suspect and his company before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged unlawful operations within a licensed mining area.
The defendant, Kolawole Olaiya, alongside his firm, Stone Rockers Nigeria Limited, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and illegal mining. The prosecution is being handled by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to court documents, the defendants allegedly carried out mining activities within Mining Lease No. 000395ML, a site legally allocated to Lord’s Career Ventures Nigeria Limited, without authorisation.
Investigations were initiated following a formal complaint by the leaseholder. Authorities deployed geo-spatial verification tools, including GPS-enabled imaging and cadastral mapping from the Mining Cadastre Office, to establish the precise location of the alleged illegal operations.
Commander of Mining Marshals, Attah John Onoja, disclosed that findings confirmed the defendants knowingly operated within the restricted zone despite repeated warnings to vacate the site. He added that official confirmation from the Mining Cadastre Office, dated January 23, 2026, verified that the activities occurred within the complainant’s licensed area.
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Following the discovery, authorities sealed off the site and confiscated equipment as part of ongoing enforcement actions. The charges further allege that between October 2024 and July 30, 2025, the defendants conspired to engage in illegal mining, in violation of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
Officials say the case highlights a growing pattern of illegal encroachment in Nigeria’s mining sector, which continues to threaten legitimate operators and weaken regulatory oversight. The Federal Government, working through agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, has reiterated its resolve to sanitise the industry and restore investor confidence.
The matter has been adjourned, with trial proceedings scheduled to commence on April 27, 2026.
