Kebbi Mining Rights: Court Judgment Misrepresented – Libata

A resident of Libata/Kabirba, Malam Hamza Muhammed Libata, has accused Adamu Tah, managing director/Chief Executive Officer of El-Tahdam Exploration Limited, of distorting the facts of a recent court ruling to mislead the public.

The judgment, delivered by Honourable Justice E. Gakko of the Federal High Court, Birnin Kebbi, in Suit No. FHC/KB/CS/39/2024 did not affirm El-Tahdam’s mining rights, contrary to claims made by its CEO.

Malam Hamza, who has closely monitored the legal dispute between Three Crowns Mines Ltd and El-Tahdam Exploration Ltd, clarified in an interview with journalists in Birnin Kebbi that the court struck out the case on procedural grounds in its ruling on February 27, 2025.

The decision was based on the plaintiff’s failure to exhaust administrative remedies as required under Section 141 of the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and Regulations 16 & 17 of the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011. It did not validate El-Tahdam’s licenses, as reported in a national daily on March 7, 2025.

Hamza, who called on the public to disregard Adamu Tah’s misleading statements, emphasised that such distortions undermine judicial integrity. He reiterated that his community remains open to responsible investors who respect legal procedures and local interests.

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However, he condemned attempts to twist clear judicial pronouncements to create confusion and advance personal interests.

The lawsuit, filed by Three Crowns Mines Ltd against El-Tahdam Exploration Limited, the Mining Cadastre Office, and the Minister for Solid Minerals Development, sought a declaration that the exploration license (No. 45689 EL) and mining lease (No. 62680 ML) granted to El-Tahdam Exploration Limited were unlawful due to procedural violations.

The court, however, did not rule on the validity of these licenses. Instead, it struck out the case, citing the necessity of exhausting administrative dispute resolution mechanisms before resorting to litigation.

Justice Gakko reinforced this position by referencing legal precedents such as Ogugua v. Jimoh (2018) LPELR-46649 CA and Obi v. INEC (2007) LPELR-2166 SC, both of which emphasise that courts lack jurisdiction when administrative procedures have not been followed.

Despite this clear ruling, Adamu Tah was quoted in The Daily Sun Newspaper as saying that the court had ruled in favour of El-Tahdam Exploration Ltd and upheld its mining rights. Malam Hamza refuted this, stating that no such pronouncement was made. He clarified that the legal standing of all parties remains unchanged, pending the completion of the required administrative procedures.

Malam Hamza further accused Adamu Tah of misleading the public in a manner that could amount to contempt of court.

He urged the Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi to take decisive action against El-Tahdam Exploration Ltd for misrepresenting judicial proceedings and deceiving the public.

“This misrepresentation must not be tolerated,” Malam Hamza declared.

“The judiciary is the last hope of the common man, and its decisions must be respected and accurately reported.”

The incident highlights the need for accountability in legal and corporate affairs and reminds us that judicial pronouncements must be presented truthfully and without manipulation for personal or corporate gain.