By Richard Ogunsile
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested ten individuals suspected of illegal mining activities. According to Naija News, the anti-graft agency seized six vehicles loaded with minerals sourced from unauthorized locations in the Ogbomoso region of Oyo State.
The suspects, identified as Yunusa Adisa, Ganiyu Kazeem, Muideen Babayemi, Sulaiman Usman, Adeleke Waliu, Tiamiyu Rokeeb, Olusola Sunday, Oyedokun Oluwagbemiga, Sulaimon Ishiaq, and Olufimihan Eniola, were apprehended by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, stated that the seized vehicles contained a significant quantity of lithium. The arrests were made following credible information about the suspects’ involvement in the illegal extraction and potential smuggling of solid minerals.
After the investigation, the suspects are set to face legal proceedings as confirmed by the EFCC.
In a related matter, Rufus John Isip, a self-proclaimed forex broker, has been arraigned for an alleged ₦2 billion investment scam. Appearing before Justice C. S. Onah at the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Isip faces multiple charges including fraudulent conversion, money laundering, and obtaining money by false pretenses through his company, ITM-IT Resources Limited.
The charges include allegations that Isip defrauded Michael Okon, Director of N-Rex Resources Limited, of ₦431,331,172 under false pretenses related to an online investment platform. He is also accused of converting ₦730,870,000 to Bitcoin and transferring it to his Binance wallet.
Isip has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the EFCC has requested his remand in custody for further investigation. His defense counsel did not object to this request.
