HighlightTrending Story

Mine War: BUA stole potentially billions of dollars in limestone, says Dangote

412

Limestone belonging to Dangote Group at the contentious Mining Lease No. 2541, which included potentially billions of dollars worth of property, was stolen in a major armed robbery operation by BUA group, says Dangote management over the week-end.

In what has been dubbed a “spectacular heist” reminiscent of any number of B-rated Hollywood action movies, an army of heavily armed gang, has constantly targeted Dangote’s mining sites, according to the Dangote group management.

The crocodile tears being shed by BUA in its cry for help and open letter to the President is most laughable and a total distraction from BUA’s continuous illegal activities within Dangote’s ML 2541 aimed at depleting and exhausting the limestone reserves in order to sabotage Dangote Group’s legitimate investment, said Dangote’s Executive Director, Mr. Devakumar Edwin.

“It is therefore appalling that BUA Group in the midst of these overwhelming facts will still want the public to believe that Dangote Group is after its business when in actual fact BUA has been the one mining illegally in Dangote Mining Lease and attacking its officials without any justification, he said.

Edwin accused BUA of  coming like a thief in the night armed to illegally steal limestone deposited in its Mining Lease No. 2541, located in a boundary town of Oguda/Ubo in Okene Kogi State.

After stealing limestones, the BUA group has managed to get away without a glitch.

He frowned at the media war, instigated by BUA against the Dangote Group, over a matter which is already pending before the Federal High Court, Benin Division

Edwin revealed that: “Dangote Group validly acquired its interest and mining title in the disputed Mining Lease No. 2541 from AICO Ado Ibrahim & Company Ltd sometime in 2014. AICO itself had applied to the Mining Cadastre Office and Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for the said Mining Lease No. 2541 located in a boundary town of Oguda/Ubo in Okene Kogi State in 2007.

The Ministry in exercise of its power under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 granted and issued to AICO ML. No. 2541 for the renewable period of 25 years effective from 1st February 2008 and to expire on 31 January, 2033. Thus AICO by virtue of the said grant, became vested with the legal title over ML. No. 2541. In 2014, the Dangote Group approached AICO and indicated interest in acquiring AICO’s stake in ML No. 2541. In 2014, AICO in exercise of its right under the Mining Act, applied to the Ministry for the transfer of its title in the ML No. 2541 to Dangote Group. AICO and Dangote Group equally paid all the transfer and statutory fees demanded by the Ministry.”

He further explained that:” By a letter dated 05 February 2016, the Ministry wrote to the Managing Director of the Dangote Group to convey the approval of the Ministry for the Transfer/Assignment of ML No. 2541 from AICO to Dangote Group with effect from 03 February 2016. Following the successful transfer of ML. NO. 2541 to Dangote Group, the Group became the holder of the Mining Lease No. 2541.”

He said even BUA in its process in Court acknowledged that these illegal mining leases which it claimed were granted in 1997 were temporary mining leases.

Edwin also recalled that the then Minister for Solid Minerals under Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime, Dr Oby Ezekwesili sometime in 2006 waded into the dispute and invited the managements of Edo Cement Company Limited and AICO Ado Ibrahim & Company Limited for a meeting and that in the course of the meeting the then Minister again queried the legality of Mining Lease Nos 18912 and 18913 and the power of the Governor of Edo State to grant such mining leases.

“At the end of the Meeting, the Minister declared the Edo Cement’s Mining Leases Nos. 18912 and 18913 illegal and declared the mining site open for interested investors. Given that AICO’s then existing Mining Lease No. 17825 was yet to be renewed even though application for renewal was pending, AICO in 2007 (under the Mining Act, 2007) applied for the fresh Mining Lease No. 2541 and the Ministry granted it in 2008 without any objection from Edo Cement Company” Edwin said AICO, who sold the right to Dangote, continued its mining operations in the Mining Lease No. 2541 undisturbed until BUA Group acquired Edo Cement Company Limited and resuscitated the dispute again.

Edwin further revealed that it was the attempt by BUA to encroach on AICO’s mining title in Mining Lease No. 2541 that prompted AICO to write to the Ministry in 2015 complaining of BUA’s encroachment.

He said: “The Ministry after investigation in the same 2015 by the letter dated 21 January 2015 wrote to the Chairman of BUA Group directing BUA to stop mining within the ML. No. 2541. It was this same letter from the Ministry that prompted BUA to file a Suit at the Federal High Court Benin in 2016.”

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

TCN blames technical hitches for widespread power outages, rules out grid collapse

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has attributed the intermittent power outages...

Naira abuse saga: EFCC invites billionaire businessman Razaq Okoya’s sons for questioning

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned Subomi and Wahab,...

Tinubu off to Abu Dhabi for Sustainability Summit, returns Jan.16

President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Saturday, January 11,...

Just in: Sen. Azuta Mbata elected new Ohanaeze President-General

Senator John Azuta-Mbata has made history as the newly elected 13th President-General...

Updated: Alison-Madueke: Nigeria to utilize $52.88m repatriated funds for rural electrification, counter-terrorism – AGF

Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,...

Just in: Gov. Makinde approves Owoade’s appointment as Alaafin of Oyo

Following recommendations of the Oyomesi after thorough consultations and divinations, Oyo State...

Breaking: Appeal Court upholds Sanusi’s reinstatement as Emir of Kano

Six months after a Federal High Court nullified Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s reappointment...

Presidency to Bauchi Governor: You are playing “irresponsible politics” over tax reform bills

The presidency has slammed Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed for allegedly playing “irresponsible...

Biden, Trump, Obama, other past US leaders, VPs pay last respect to Carter as his body is buried

President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump, league of former presidents attended the...

NSC shake up: Top officials reassigned to boost Nigeria’s sports sector

In a strategic move to reposition Nigeria’s sports industry, the National Sports...

NSC Chair Dikko Commits to Enhancing Athletes’ Welfare, Fostering Partnerships, Unity in Sports

The National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko has reaffirmed his commitment...

Tinubu directs NADF to deploy 10,000 John Deere tractors in 36 states

In a bid to boost food production, President Bola Tinubu has directed...

NNPC Foundation moves to Lagos State, Offers 1,000 Free Cataract Surgeries

The NNPC Foundation has embarked on a humanitarian mission to provide 1,000...

Commissioner falls ill at state EXCO meeting, dies minutes after hospitalization

Cross River Governor Bassey Otu and the State Executive Council are still...

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, Meets with Tinubu in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu welcomed China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, to...

Just in: Army chief Joseph Aoun emerges Lebanese president

In a historic parliamentary vote, Gen. Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s army chief, has...

Pres. Tinubu Decorates Aide-De-Camp with New Rank of Colonel

President Bola Tinubu has decorated his Aide-De-Camp, Lt.-Col. Nurudeen Alonwonle Yusuf, with...

Attack on Chad’s Presidential Palace: 19 Fatalities Recorded

A deadly attack on Chad’s presidential palace in N’Djamena has left at...

FG reaffirms commitment to strengthening Nigeria-China relations

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has reaffirmed the...