The Berom Youth Molders-Association (BYM) has called for the immediate revocation of Mining Lease No. ML-129 allegedly granted to Mr Joshua Egbagbe for mining activities in Latya community, Du District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Speaking on behalf of the association at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Jos on Wednesday, BYM President, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Esq., alleged that the circumstances surrounding the issuance and use of the mining lease required urgent investigation by the Federal Government.
Mwantiri said the association was not disputing the constitutional ownership of mineral resources by the Federal Government, but was concerned about the rights of landowners and host communities affected by mining activities.
He alleged that ML-129 covers land previously associated with Mining Lease No. ML-126, which was linked to Mining Technologies Company Limited and had been the subject of a dispute before the courts.
According to him, the earlier mining arrangement involving ML-126 dated back to 1997, when the host community entered into an agreement that lasted four years and expired in 2001.
Mwantiri said the community subsequently petitioned the Minister of Mines and Steel Development in September 2016 over the renewal of the earlier lease while litigation concerning the land was pending before the High Court and Court of Appeal in Jos.
He said the ministry, in a response dated October 13, 2016, had indicated that action would be stayed pending the determination of the court matter.
The BYM president, however, alleged that Egbagbe subsequently obtained ML-129 over the disputed area without waiting for the determination of the pending matter or securing the necessary consent of the landowners and host community.
He described the alleged overlap between ML-126 and ML-129 as a matter requiring clarification by the relevant authorities, particularly the Mining Cadastre Office and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
“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,” Mwantiri said.
He also alleged that the host community had not been adequately involved in the mining activities and that the obligations expected of a mining lease holder towards the community had not been fulfilled.
Mwantiri therefore called on the Minister of Mines, Steel and Solid Minerals Development and other relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the processing and granting of ML-129 and determine its relationship with ML-126.
He also demanded verification of compliance with applicable Community Development Agreement requirements and other obligations towards the landowners and host community.
The association further called for an immediate revocation of ML-129 if the investigation establishes that the lease was improperly granted or does not validly apply to the disputed land.
Mwantiri said the association had made several complaints and petitions to relevant authorities over the matter but claimed that no satisfactory resolution had been reached.
He urged the Federal and Plateau State governments to address the dispute through due process, transparency and the rule of law, stressing that the association did not support violence or confrontation.
The BYM gave the authorities one week to respond to its demands, saying it would otherwise exercise what it described as its constitutional right to peaceful assembly and lawful protest.
The association’s position comes amid continuing disputes over mining activities and the rights of host communities in parts of Plateau State.
Mr Egbagbe’s response to the allegations was not contained in the statement presented at the press conference.
Dr. Joshua Egbagbe and Mining Technologies Co. Ltd (MTS) operate in strict compliance with Nigerian law, holding a valid Mining Lease (ML-129) duly issued by the Federal Government through the Mining Cadastre Office. The recent false narratives and attacks against Dr. Egbagbe are driven by illegal mining operators attempting to defend unauthorized commercial interests and prevent lawful access to the site. Security personnel at the location are deployed solely through official institutional channels to maintain peace, prevent illegal mineral extraction, and protect national economic assets—not to intimidate residents. Dr. Egbagbe and MTS remain fully committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting valid mineral titles, and working transparently and peacefully with the host community of Latya, Plateau State
Under Nigerian law, mineral resources are exclusively vested in the Federal Government. Mining Lease No. ML-129 was duly processed, approved, and issued by the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) following all statutory requirements.
MTC are doing legitimate, government-approved work under License ML-129. For years, illegal miners blocked the site and made private money off public land. Now that the law is being enforced and security is protecting the area, these illegal operators are spreading lies. MTC remains committed to helping the Latya community through peaceful and lawful work. ONe Love….
For three years, legitimate operations under Federal Lease were unlawfully blocked by illegal operators taking public resources for private gain.