By Elizabeth Tanko
Abuja, Nigeria – The Mining Marshals, the enforcement arm of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC deployed to secure Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, have defended the 13-month closure of the Stone Rockers quarry site in Abuja, insisting the facility remains a crime scene in an ongoing prosecution.
The clarification follows a petition by Stone Rockers Nigeria Limited to President Bola Tinubu alleging that the shutdown was unlawful and not backed by any court order.
The Commander of the Mining Marshals said the site was sealed not as an administrative action, but because it is the locus criminis in Charge No. FHC/ABM/VR/338/2026 before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
According to him, Stone Rockers and its director, Mr. Kolawole Olaiya, are facing trial over alleged illegal mining within Mining Lease No. 000395 ML belonging to Lord’s Career Ventures Nigeria Limited.
He said the case followed over a year of investigations triggered by petitions referred by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and the Minister of Interior to the NSCDC through the Commandant General.
Investigators said the defendants were arrested at coordinates longitude 7°17’24″E and latitude 8°52’11″N, which a January 23, 2026 letter from the Mining Cadastre Office confirmed fall within the complainant’s licensed area.
The Commander disclosed that part of the evidence includes a letter dated August 12, 2025, allegedly written on the defendants’ instruction, containing admissions relevant to the case.
“The issues raised by the defendants are already the subject of judicial proceedings,” he said, warning against actions that could prejudice the case.
He accused the company of pursuing “every extrajudicial means” to frustrate the trial, including a petition to the President after alleged failed petitions to the ICPC.
The Marshals also warned the media to strengthen editorial gatekeeping, stressing that the press has a role in supporting lawful mining and government reforms in the sector.
On the workers initially arrested, the agency said they were excluded from the charge because they acted as employees.
But following protests over the shutdown, prosecutors have been directed to review and possibly relist them if evidence shows deeper involvement.
The Commander denied claims of financial inducement, saying enforcement was based solely on evidence, not the financial status of either party.
“No matter the level of blackmail and harassment deployed by illegal mining and erring industry players, the Mining Marshals will not be deterred from ensuring that the full weight of the law is pressed very tightly against everyone who breaks the laws in the Nigerian mining sector,” he said.
The dispute between Stone Rockers and Lord’s Career Ventures has generated multiple legal filings and competing narratives, with the Marshals maintaining that the courts will determine the matter.
