Kingsley Ogala, a businessman, was sentenced to 12 months in prison without the option of a fine by a Federal High Court in Ilorin for purchasing minerals without legal authority.
In his decision, Justice Muhammed Sani stated that the prosecution had proven its case against Ogala and convicted him as charged.
On counts one and three, the judge sentenced him to six months in prison each, to run concurrently.
The court also ordered the Federal Government to forfeit the 30 tonnes of illegally purchased mineral.
Sani then set March 15 as the start date for the trial of the first defendant (Isah), who pleaded not guilty upon arraignment, while Ogala pleaded guilty.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ogala and one Isah Musa were charged with possessing 30 tonnes of mineral without lawful authority on three counts.
Count one of the charge reads:
”That you, Isah Musa and Kingsley Ogala sometime in September 2022, in Ilorin Kwara State, within the Judicial Division of the Federal High Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: without lawful authority, came into possession of 30 tonnes of mineral conveyed in Truck with REGISTRATION NUMBER KNT482XA and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act 1983 and Punishable under Section 1(8) (b) of the same Act”.
Rashidat Alao, who prosecuted the case on behalf of the commission, had tendered documents in proof of the case and urged the court to convict the second defendant (Ogala) and also give a trial date to prove its case against the first defendant (Isah). (NAN)