By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disputed Mining Lease No. ML-129 in Latya Community, Du District, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The association also demanded the immediate revocation of the mining lease, subject to the outcome of relevant investigations, while calling for respect for the rights and interests of lawful landowners and host communities.
The President of BYM, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Esq., stated this while briefing journalists at the NUJ Press Centre in Jos on Wednesday.
Mwantiri said the association recognised the constitutional and statutory provisions vesting mineral resources in the Federal Government and the administration of such resources under applicable mining laws.
He, however, stressed that ownership of mineral resources by the Federal Government should not, in the association’s view, extinguish the lawful rights and interests of landowners and host communities.
According to him, the granting of a mining title does not, by itself, extinguish the lawful rights and interests of persons who own or occupy land where mining activities are being conducted.
He added that mining operators were expected to comply with applicable legal requirements relating to access to land, community relations, environmental obligations, compensation and host-community development.
BYM Raises Concern Over Latya Mining Site
Mwantiri said BYM had observed what it described as disturbing developments at a mining site in Latya Community, involving Mining Lease No. ML-129, which the association said was issued to Mr. Joshua Egbagbe.
The BYM President alleged that Egbagbe had failed to follow due process in pursuing the mining lease and accused him of actions including arbitrary arrests and detention of community members, abuse of legal processes and disregard for the host community and traditional institutions.
He further alleged that security personnel had been deployed to the mining site in a manner that had heightened tension in the community.
The allegations could not be independently verified from the statement.
“We are particularly disturbed by incidences of arrest and detention of members of the Latya community arising from the mining controversies at the instance of Mr. Joshua Egbagbe,” Mwantiri said.
He called for the immediate release of any community member being unlawfully detained in connection with the dispute and urged the relevant authorities to investigate reported arrests.
He also called for an end to what he described as intimidation, harassment and threats against members of the community.
Mwantiri urged that any criminal allegation against a community member should be investigated independently on its merits rather than being used as a means of settling a mining dispute.
Calls for Review of Court Cases
The BYM President said the association was aware of cases reportedly instituted against some community members following complaints allegedly linked to Egbagbe.
He called on the Attorney-General of the Federation or the Attorney-General of Plateau State to review the cases and take appropriate lawful steps where there was insufficient legal basis for prosecution.
“Where any case has been instituted without sufficient legal basis, we call upon the appropriate prosecuting authority and/or court to take the necessary lawful steps to discontinue or otherwise bring such proceedings to an end,” he said.
He stressed that no person should be arrested, prosecuted or detained merely for challenging a disputed mining title or asserting a lawful interest in community land.
Mwantiri also called on security agencies to withdraw from the mining site within 24 hours if there was no valid court order or lawful directive authorising their continued presence.
He said the presence of armed security personnel at a disputed mining site had heightened tension and created fear among community members.
Demands Investigation Into ML-129
The BYM called on the Minister of Mines, Steel and Solid Minerals Development, the Mining Cadastre Office, Plateau State Government, Plateau State Police Command and other relevant authorities to urgently intervene.
Among its demands, the association called for:
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the processing and granting of Mining Lease No. ML-129.
Verification of the validity and status of ML-129.
An investigation into the relationship between ML-126 and ML-129 and whether the two leases cover the same area.
Verification of compliance with applicable Community Development Agreement requirements.
An investigation into who requested and authorised the deployment of police personnel to Latya.
Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the involvement of the Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the mining site.
Immediate release of any community members found to be unlawfully detained.
Review of cases instituted against community members where authorities determine that they lack proper legal foundation.
Withdrawal of security personnel from the mining site where their presence is not supported by lawful authority.
Mwantiri also called for appropriate action against Egbagbe if investigations establish that he failed to comply with directives of a committee set up by the Plateau State Government to verify the authenticity of mining operators in the state.
BYM Calls for Calm
The BYM President assured that the association did not support violence, destruction of property, confrontation with security agencies or any other unlawful conduct.
He called on members of the Latya community, youths of Du District and the wider Berom community to remain calm and peaceful while awaiting government action.
Mwantiri, however, said that if the Federal and Plateau State Governments failed to address the association’s demands, including its call for the revocation of ML-129, within one week, BYM would exercise what he described as its constitutional right to peaceful assembly and lawful protest.
He said the Latya mining dispute should not be allowed to escalate into a conflict between the community and security agencies.
According to him, while mineral resources are vested in the Federal Government, their administration must be carried out in accordance with the law and with due regard for lawful landowners, host communities and legitimate mining-title holders.
“The central issue before the government is not whether mineral resources belong to the Federal Government, but whether the document and title being relied upon by Mr. Joshua Egbagbe as ML-129 is genuine, valid, subsisting and lawfully applicable to the particular land at Latya,” he said.
Mwantiri appealed to the Minister of Mines, Steel and Solid Minerals Development to critically examine the process that led to the issuance of the disputed mining lease, as well as the statutory obligations of leaseholders to landowners and host communities.
He said the association was seeking justice, transparency, due process and respect for the rule of law in resolving the dispute.