The Orinono Community Center, Ogugu in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, demanding the investigation, arrest and prosecution of Mr. Ujah Sani Simeon, the Ejeh of Olamaboro, for fraudulently applying and obtaining small-scale mining lease (license), without the consent of the host community, Orinono Center and their paramount traditional ruler, the Gago of Orinono Center.

The petitioners told the IGP that, Ujah Simeon, who is not from Orinono, was discovered to have fraudulently forged the signatures of some members of the host community to enable him to obtain the mining lease.

The petition dated September 20, 2023, was titled: “Petition Against Mr. Ujah Sani Simeon, The Ejeh Of Olamabaro Local Government, Kogi State Hon. Agwoka Peter Abah, Mr. Yusuf Akahaka Iduh, Mr. Musa Balla, Matigo Oguche, Achema Joseph Akor Omale and Luke Usman For Criminal Breach Of Trust, Forgery, Conspiracy, Threat To Life, Kidnapping, Assault And Breach Of Public Peace.”

An acknowledged copy of the petition made available to our reporter on Wednesday was written and endorsed on behalf of the Orinono Centre by their lawyer, Ojonimi S. Apeh Esq.

Apeh said the small-scale mining lease was granted to Simeon in his personal name, on the 22nd day of May, 2023.

“Our Client informed us and we verily believed them to be true that, upon the discovery of the fact that Mr. Ujah Sani Simeon had obtained the mining lease, efforts were made to resolve the dispute amicably but all efforts proved abortive,” Apeh stated.

The petitioner alleged that Simeon at all times engaged in threatening the host community of killing, assaulting, or kidnapping anyone who dared to question his authority as the Ejeh of Olamaboro.

According to Apeh, Simeon is the Ejeh of Olamaboro LGA, Kogi state, under which there are many other communities with their respective Chiefs (Gagos) and Chiefdoms long before the local government and even the state were created.

Apeh stated that Orinono Centre is an ancient community with her own Chief (Gago) and Chiefdom under which the solid mineral, coal is discovered.

The community told the IGP that trouble started when on 4th August 2023, they discovered that the village stream which served as their only source of water was contaminated as a result of the illegal mining activities being carried out by Simeon and his thugs which he uses as his personal security guard and also, to beat and if possible kill anybody that questions his authority.

The Orinono community said they reported the issue to the Ministry of Mines which investigated the matter and informed Simeon to suspend further operations which he had failed to comply with, but rather, had continued with the mining and also, employed more thugs to cause havoc and security breach in Orinono Center.

The community informed the IGP that the clandestine activities of Simeon and his thugs have resulted in crimes in the once-peaceful community as the whole community is presently living in fear of either being kidnapped, killed or assaulted.

“Furthermore, Hon. Agwoka Peter Abah, Mr. Yusuf Akahaka Iduh, Mr. Musa Balla, Matigo Oguche, Achema Joseph Akor Omale and Luke Usman, have been moving from house vandalizing properties and destroying farmlands in the community,” Apeh stated. (Daily Trust)

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