NSCDC: Stone Rockers Abuja Illegal Mining Case Keeps Quarry Shut

• The NSCDC Mining Marshals have defended the 13-month closure of Stone Rockers Nigeria Limited's quarry in Abuja, stating it remains a crime scene in an ongoing criminal prosecution.
• Stone Rockers and its director, Mr. Kolawole Olaiya, face charges (FHC/ABM/VR/338/2026) for alleged illegal mining within Lords Career Ventures Nigeria Limited's lease area (000395 ML).
• The prosecution followed petitions from Lords Career Ventures and investigations confirming the alleged illegal mining coordinates within their licensed area.
• The NSCDC asserts the closure is not an administrative sanction but due to the site being the "locus criminis" in the court case.
• The agency has criticized Stone Rockers' attempts to seek administrative intervention while criminal and civil proceedings are active.

The NSCDC's steadfast position that the Abuja quarry remains a 'locus criminis' carries significant legal weight, effectively transforming the site into evidence in an active criminal trial.

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have firmly defended their decision to maintain the closure of a quarry site in Abuja, asserting that the facility remains integral to an ongoing criminal prosecution. This declaration comes amidst a public outcry from Stone Rockers Nigeria Limited, the company operating the quarry, which has seen its operations halted for 13 months. The NSCDC insists that the site's reopening is contingent upon the Federal High Court's resolution of the case.

Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja, who commands the NSCDC Mining Marshals, issued a statement in Abuja clarifying the agency's position. This clarification followed Stone Rockers Nigeria Limited's recent petition to President Bola Tinubu and other senior government officials. The company alleged that the prolonged shutdown was unlawful and lacked judicial backing, drawing significant media attention to the dispute.

However, Onoja countered these claims, emphasizing that the sealing of the quarry was not an administrative penalty but a direct consequence of its status as the "locus criminis," or crime scene, in a live criminal matter. This designation underscores the gravity of the NSCDC Stone Rockers Abuja illegal mining case, framing the site as crucial evidence in the legal proceedings.

The criminal proceedings, identified as Charge No. FHC/ABM/VR/338/2026, involve Stone Rockers Nigeria Limited and one of its directors, Mr. Kolawole Olaiya, as defendants. They face charges related to alleged Abuja illegal mining criminal charges conducted within a mineral title area legally assigned to Lords Career Ventures Nigeria Limited. The prosecution originated from a series of petitions filed by Lords Career Ventures over a period exceeding one year, which were subsequently referred for investigation and prosecution by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and the Minister of Interior to the Mining Marshals, through the Commandant-General of the NSCDC.

Investigators from the Nigerian Mining Marshals quarry closure operation arrested the defendants at specific coordinates: longitude 7°1724E and latitude 8°5211N. These coordinates, according to the Marshals' findings, fall precisely within Lords Career Ventures Mining Lease 000395 ML. This geographical precision is a key element of the prosecution's case, aiming to establish the alleged encroachment.

Further bolstering their claims, the NSCDC cited a letter from the Mining Cadastre Office, dated January 23, 2026. This official correspondence reportedly confirmed that the disputed coordinates are indeed situated within the licensed mining area belonging to the complainant company, Lords Career Ventures Nigeria Limited, providing independent verification of the boundary claims.

Commander Onoja highlighted that the evidence intended for presentation before the court extends beyond geographical coordinates. It includes correspondence allegedly authored by Mohammed Olanrewaju Jibril, a member of the defense team, during the investigative phase. This letter, dated August 12, 2025, was purportedly written on the instructions of the defendants and is believed to contain admissions pertinent to the allegations now under judicial review.

The NSCDC maintains that its prosecution is built upon a substantial body of documentary evidence, meticulously gathered throughout the investigation, and is not confined solely to the coordinates or the aforementioned correspondence. This comprehensive approach aims to present a robust case against the accused parties in the Stone Rockers Nigeria Limited prosecution.

Onoja also criticized what the agency perceives as attempts by the defendants to bypass the judicial process by seeking administrative intervention. He cautioned against any actions that could undermine or prejudice the ongoing criminal and civil proceedings arising from the dispute, emphasizing that the issues raised by Stone Rockers are already subject to judicial determination. He further alleged that the defendants are employing extrajudicial tactics to impede the criminal proceedings.

The NSCDC's steadfast position that the Abuja quarry remains a 'locus criminis' carries significant legal weight, effectively transforming the site into evidence in an active criminal trial. This designation means that the property cannot be accessed or operated until the Federal High Court delivers a verdict, irrespective of any administrative appeals or petitions. The 13-month duration of the Nigerian Mining Marshals quarry closure underscores the long-term impact such a designation can have on business operations.

This case exemplifies the robust enforcement powers wielded by the NSCDC, particularly its Mining Marshals, in combating Abuja illegal mining criminal charges. The agency's insistence on judicial resolution, rather than administrative compromise, highlights a firm stance against alleged infractions within the mining sector. It also serves as a critical reminder for mining companies regarding the severe consequences of operating outside licensed boundaries or engaging in activities that could lead to criminal charges.

This case demonstrates the NSCDC's robust enforcement powers, including prolonged site closures, when an alleged illegal mining site is deemed a 'crime scene' in an ongoing criminal prosecution. Lawyers advising mining companies should be aware of the severe implications of such designations and the limited avenues for administrative recourse once criminal proceedings are initiated, emphasizing the need for strict compliance with mining lease boundaries.

Source: Original reporting via local news outlets