Benue Mines, Minerals And Forestry Law 2026, Illegal – Prof Hon

A governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Sebastine Hon (SAN), has condemned the newly enacted Benue State Mines, Minerals and Forestry Law, 2026, by the state House of Assembly, describing it as unconstitutional.

Hon. A professor of Law said the legislation was in violation of the constitutional provisions governing mineral resources and environmental regulation in Nigeria.

He warned that urgent legal action would be initiated to challenge what he termed the “foul provisions” of the law.

Reacting to the legislation on his Facebook page yesterday, Hon said, “The Benue State Mines, Minerals and Forestry Law, 2026, is largely unconstitutional, null and void. Legal steps shall soon be taken to strike down its foul provisions. We are not a conquered people, for God’s sake!”

The Assembly recently passed into law a bill establishing a Forestry, Mines and Solid Minerals Commission.

The lawmakers said the move was expected to strengthen regulation in the state’s resource sector while addressing concerns around sustainability and local benefits.

The bill had scaled third reading during the plenary presided over by speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga. It followed a detailed report by the House Committee on Lands, Survey, Solid Minerals, and Environment.