AGS NEWS – The police brought charges against 41 individuals on Thursday for their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities. The defendants faced a two-count charge of conspiracy and illegal mining.

According to the prosecution counsel, Mr. Michael Ojeah, the defendants were accused of committing the offense on January 25 in Onipanu village within the Ibadan judicial division.

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Ojeah further alleged that the defendants were in possession of 24.96g of gold ore, valued at N1.2 million, extracted from an illegal mining site in the village.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting Ojeah to proceed with presenting the facts of the case.

Police Inspector Awosanmi Abiola, who led the team that apprehended the defendants, testified in court and submitted statements from five principal witnesses and those of the defendants taken after their arrest.

Justice U.N. Agomoh admitted the statements as exhibits.

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The defense counsel, Suraji Musa, requested a brief adjournment to review the case, which the judge granted. The matter was adjourned until March 11 for the prosecution to continue its review of the case.