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Mining Sector: FG Revokes 1,633 Mineral Titles

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2023

Joel Ajayi
As part of its efforts to sanitize and reposition the solid mineral sector of the economy for international competitiveness, the Federal Government has wielded the big stick of revoking 1,633 minerals titles of defaulting mining companies.

The Minister for Solid Minerals Development Dr Oladele Alake made this announcement during the press conference on the revocation of defaulting mineral titles, held at the Ministry’s Headquarters Office in Abuja.

Dr. Alake explained that the extant law governing mineral titles empowered the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to revoke the mineral titles of companies who refuse to give the government it’s due by failing to pay their annual service fee.
He said: ” it is indeed very unconscionable for corporate bodies making huge profits from mining to refuse to give the government it’s due by failing to pay their annual service fee.”

Quoting extensively from the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 ( NMMA Act 2007) the Minister stated that section 10 subsection b of the Act provides for the payment of the Annual Service Fee by mining companies, which is a fee established at a fixed rate per square cadastral unit for administrative and management services rendered by the Mining Cadastre Office ( an agency of the Ministry).

Elaborating further Dr Alake submitted that ” the amount the companies are being asked to pay is a peanut compared to their own revenue projections. For example, the holder of an exploraton title pays only N1,500 per cadastral unit not exceeding 200 units. Those holding titles covering more than 200 units pay N2,000 per unit”.

In short, the larger the area your title covers the more you pay. This principle was applied to ensure that applicants don’t hold more than they require to explore. With a cadastral unit captured as a square of 500metres by 500 metres, any law- abiding title holder should not hesitate to perform it’s obligations”‘, the Minister emphasized.

On whether adequate notice was given to the defaulting mining companies, the Minister explained that aside the administrative alert signal received by mineral title holder for payment as at when due, the Mining Cadastre Office has also issued a 30- day notice in compliance to section 14 of the NMMA Act 2007.

” The mandatory 30 days expired on November 10 2023. Only 580 title holders responded by settling their indebtedness. With this development, the Mining Cadastre Office ( MCO) recommended the revocation of 1,633 mineral titles as follows: Exploration Licence 536; Quarry Licence 279; Small Scale Mining Licence 787 and Mining Lease 31 ”, the Minister asserted.

Riding on this, Dr Alake emphatically declared: ”In line with the powers conferred on me by the NMMA 2007, Section 5 ( a), I have approved the revocation of the 1,633 titles. I hereby warn the previous holders of these titles to leave the relevant cadastre with immediate effect as security agencies shall work with the Mines Inspectorate of the Ministry to apprehend any defaulter found on any of the areas where titles have been revoked”.

The revocation is imperative to free up space for serious investors and to shore up the revenue to the government, the Minister stated.

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Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security

Published

5 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.

The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.

Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.

These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.

In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.

“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”

The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).

– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.

– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.

– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.

– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.

Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.

“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”

The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.

About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.

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