Justice M.O. Olajuwon of the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia has convicted and sentenced Yakubu Yahaya to life imprisonment for offences related to illegal mining.

Yahaya was sentenced on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after being found guilty on a two-count amended charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Makurdi Zonal Directorate.

The court held that the defendant engaged in the purchase and possession of solid minerals without lawful authorisation, in violation of provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

According to the judgment, the offences contravened Section 1(8)(b) of the Act, which criminalises unauthorised dealings in mineral resources.

The judge sentenced Yahaya to life imprisonment without the option of a fine, underscoring the severity of the offence.

The conviction is part of ongoing efforts by the EFCC to clamp down on illegal mining activities and enforce compliance with regulations governing Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.