I’ve suffered a stroke, man jailed for illegal mining in Kwara pleads

A 52-year-old man, Ilori Elukanah, has pleaded for leniency before a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin after being convicted of illegal possession of solid minerals. During his allocutus (plea before sentencing), Elukanah told the court that he “suffered a stroke two years ago” and was a “first-time offender.”  He appealed to the judge […]

A 52-year-old man, Ilori Elukanah, has pleaded for leniency before a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin after being convicted of illegal possession of solid minerals.

During his allocutus (plea before sentencing), Elukanah told the court that he “suffered a stroke two years ago” and was a “first-time offender.”

 He appealed to the judge to temper justice with mercy, citing his fragile health and asking for compassion.

However, Justice Abimbola Awogboro convicted him of unlawful possession of solid minerals without lawful authority. 

The conviction followed a successful prosecution by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The case dates back to October 2024, when the EFCC arraigned Elukanah on a one-count charge bordering on illegal possession of solid minerals. 

He was accused of unlawfully mining and possessing tonnes of minerals without the required permit, an act contrary to the provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

The prosecution informed the court that Elukanah was arrested in September 2022 during an operation while in possession of minerals conveyed in a truck.

In the final ruling, the judge stated that the court had considered the convict’s plea for mercy and the fact that he had no previous criminal record. Elukanah was subsequently sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, with an option of a N5 million fine.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the truck used in the illegal operation and the seized solid minerals to the federal government.