By Ade Adeloye, Ibadan

No fewer than 41 men were on Thursday afternoon arraigned before Justice UN Agomoh at a Federal High Court in Ibadan over illegal mining.

The defendants were arraigned by the federal government through the Nigeria Police.

They were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal mining.

The Police prosecutor, Mr Michael Ojeah, told the court that the 41 defendants, on Jan.25, at Onipanu village in Ibadan judicial division, did conspire with one another to commit a felony to wit: unlawful mining.

Ojeah further said the defendants without lawful authority did mines and conceal 24.96 grams of gold ore, valued N1,248,000, extracted from an illegal mine site at Onipanu village, Ilaju in Ibadan.

He said, under count one, the defendants violated sections 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, vol. 11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. 2004.

Whereas under count two, the defendants committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Volume.9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.2004.

All the 41 defendants pleaded guilty to the charge.

Ojeah subsequently informed the court that he was prepared to present facts of the case since the defendants have pleaded guilty.