A traditional ruler in Osun State, Oba Taofeeq Olaposi Osunmakinde, was arraigned yesterday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged illegal gold mining in Lege Community, Odigbo Local Council of Ondo State.

Osunmakinde, the Obawore of Ifetuntun in Ife Central Local Council of Osun State, was put on trial by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) in Abuja, alongside four others on two-count charges.

The other defendants are Shehu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited.

They are accused of conspiring with others at large on August 25 to engage in the illegal mining of gold at Ogunlepo in Lege community, Odigbo Local Council.

The alleged offence contradicts Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and is punishable under Section 1(8).

All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them.

Consequently, counsel to the AGF, Toluwalope Alex Ojo, asked Justice Emeka Nwite to set a date for the federal government to open its case against the accused.

Although Ojo did not object to the accused persons’ bail, he requested that the court compel them to deposit their passports with the court.

Counsel to the defendants, Vincent Ododo, moved consolidated bail applications for his clients and pleaded with Justice Nwite to admit them to bail on various grounds.

He cited that the 1st defendant was a well-known traditional ruler, that the charges against them did not carry capital punishment, and that the defendants would not fail to appear in court for trial.

In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite admitted them to bail in N20 million each with one surety in the like sum.

The judge ordered that the sureties must be residents in Abuja, own landed property, and produce a three-year tax clearance certificate.

In addition, Justice Nwite ordered that the defendants deposit their passports, along with three copies of their recent passport photographs, with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.

Pending the perfection of their bail conditions, the judge ordered that they be remanded in Kuje prison.