By NAN
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police accused the defendants of conspiracy and illegal mining.
The defendants: Babangida Salihu, 25, Adamu Sanni, 39, Abdulaziz Lawal, 18, Mamman Ibrahim, 50 and 37 others were arraigned before the court on the two counts.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp Sikiru Opaleye, told the court that defendants and others at large allegedly conspired together to commit the offence.
Opaleye said the defendants on Jan. 25, allegedly extracted 24.96 grams of gold from an illegal mine at Onipanu village, Ilaju, Ibadan, unlawfully and concealed it without the consent and authority of Oyo State Government.
The prosecutor put the value at N1. 248 million, from the land that belongs to Oyo state government
Opaleye said the offence contravened Sections 516 and 396 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.