Court Rules in Favor of Mining Company in Land Dispute Case
The High Court in Yola, Adamawa State, presided over by Hon. Justice Kyanson Samuel Lawanson, has delivered a verdict in a case involving a Jos-based mining company, Elipse Industries Limited, and Ajia Global Fleet Concept Limited.
The litigation, initiated by Ajia Global Fleet Concept, alleged trespassing and sought a declaration of ownership over land which encompassed the mining site of Elipse Industries located at Gidan Zuma, Sugu District, in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Ajia Global Fleet Concept claimed that they had acquired the land through a sale agreement in February 2022 and requested the court to acknowledge their ownership and prevent Elipse Industries from trespassing.
On the contrary, Elipse Industries contended that they had obtained consent from the land owners in 2019 and had been granted a Mineral Title by the Federal Government to mine copper and manganese at the same location. They asserted that they had followed all legal procedures and had obtained the necessary exploration license from the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO).
Elipse Industries further alleged that after lodging a complaint with the Ministry of Mines and Steel, Cadastre Abuja, the license of Ajia Global Fleet Concept was revoked as it overlapped with their existing license. They also argued that the sales agreement presented by Ajia Global Fleet Concept was fraudulent as the landowners had not sold their land to anyone.
During the court proceedings, the landowners testified that they had not sold their land to Ajia Global Fleet Concept or anyone else, and denied signing any sales agreement. They stated that they had never even met representatives of Ajia Global Fleet Concept.
In his ruling, Hon. Justice Kyanson Samuel Lawanson dismissed the case brought by Ajia Global Fleet Concept, stating that the sales agreement presented was fraudulent and lacked merit.
The court’s decision is a victory for Elipse Industries Limited, as they have been vindicated in the land dispute case. This ruling reaffirms the importance of following legal procedures and obtaining proper consent in mining activities. It also highlights the significance of authentic documentation in land transactions.
This judgment sets a precedent for upholding the integrity of mining operations and protecting legitimate mining companies from unfounded claims. It serves as a reminder for companies and individuals involved in land transactions to adhere to legal processes and ensure that all agreements are genuine and transparent.
In conclusion, the ruling in favour of Elipse Industries Limited demonstrates the court’s commitment to upholding justice and fair business practices. It underlines the critical importance of due diligence and legal compliance in all land-related activities, particularly in the mining sector.
