Absence of judge stalls Dan-China’s, 16 Chinese national’s illegal mining case

The absence of Justice Musa Kurya of the Federal High Court sitting in Jos, and the prosecutor representing Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Aminu Alilu has stalled the alleged illegal mining case between the Federal Government and a miner, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu alias Dan-China, 16 Chinese nationals and nine other Nigerians.

The case was adjourned to 6th November, 2018 for further hearing.

Daily Trust learnt that the judge was absent due to unscheduled journey to Abuja for an official assignment, while the prosecutor cited that his absence was as a result of the recent crisis that erupted in Plateau state.

The defendants’ counsels, Joseph Danboyi and Gyang Zi were in court on Monday.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government had on August 14th, 2017 sued the Dan-China – a former Bauchi State governorship aspirant on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, (CPC), and other defendants before the Jos Federal High Court on a four-count charge of illegal mining in Zurak of Wase Local Government area of Plateau state.

The FG alleged that the defendants had sometimes between 2015 and 2017 made some illegal mining activities and disposing of the minerals illegally, thereby committing offences punishable under Miscellaneous Offences Act of Nigeria 2004.

The case marked FHC/J/6/2018 was signed by Mr. Aminu Alilu, an Assistant Chief State Counsel of the Department of Prosecutions of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The four-count charge preferred against Dan-China and 25 other defendants were said to be contrary to and punishable under the various provisions of Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.