The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (FMMSD) says two men had been convicted for illegal possession of 300gm of Tourmaline in Cross River.Mrs Etore Thomas, the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Thomas said that the two men; Mr Ezema and Mr Ye Kachi, were arrested on July 5.
She said that the men were without any form of authorisation or license from the ministry as stipulated in Sections 2, 93, 94 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA) 2007.
“The two suspects were in court on July 13 and charged with conspiracy to commit felony with in possession of Tourmaline without license under Section 516 of the Criminal Code.
“Unlawful possession of Tourmaline contrary to Section 93 and punishable under Section 146(2) of the NMMA 2007.
“FMMSD in collaboration with the Legal Unit of the Department of State Services, Cross River State, arraigned the two men,” she said.
Etore said that the two men pleaded guilty to the offence and were convicted accordingly.
She said that FMMSD commended the Federal Mines Officer (FMO), Mr Mayowa Omosebi, and the Department of State Service for acting swiftly in the arrest and the conviction of the suspects.
(NAN)
