Six Remanded for Violating Taraba’s Environmental Protection Order
The Taraba State Special Mobile Court on Environmental Protection has remanded six individuals in custody for breaching Executive Order No. 5 of 2023, aimed at curbing illegal mining and deforestation. The accused, hailing from various states, were arrested on January 17, 2025, at Abuja Leather, a notorious mining site in Gashaka Local Government Area. Items seized during the operation included explosives, mining tools, and weapons. Presiding Judge Useni Galadima stated that the evidence presented was sufficient to prosecute the suspects under the Land Use Act and the Executive Order. The prosecution, led by Barrister Neirus Johnson, called for strict penalties and confiscation of seized items to deter similar offenses. Defense counsel Barrister Ikechukwu Christopher Osuji requested more time to prepare, and the court adjourned the case to January 28, 2025, for final determination.
