Reps Probe Alleged N2bn Mining Marshals’ Scandal, Funding Irregularities

The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to investigate allegations of financial impropriety within the Mining Marshals, including claims that more than N2 billion was discovered in the bank account of a State Commander of the unit.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Abdulmaleek Danga, seeking an investigation into the performance, funding, legal status, and alleged corruption and operational compromise of the Mining Marshals.

Leading the debate, Danga recalled that the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Interior, inaugurated the specialised Mining Marshals Corps on March 21, 2024. The unit comprises over 2,200 personnel drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

He noted that the corps was established pursuant to Section 3 of the NSCDC Act and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, to secure mining sites, combat illegal mining, curb banditry in mineral-rich communities, and protect federal revenue from the solid minerals sector.

According to the lawmaker, reports suggest the unit has strayed from its core mandate, with allegations that many of its personnel lack sufficient knowledge of the mining sector, leading to the harassment and wrongful arrest of legitimate mineral title holders while presenting such actions as victories against illegal mining.

He further alleged that a former State Commander of the Mining Marshals was linked to over N2 billion found in a bank account.

“The House is also concerned by grave allegations of financial impropriety within the unit, specifically the reported discovery of over N2 billion in the bank account of a State Commander of the Mining Marshals.

“The House is worried that instead of a formal judicial inquiry, prosecution, or internal disciplinary action, the said Commander was merely redeployed, fuelling allegations that the Marshals are being compromised by affluent illegal mining syndicates,” Danga said.

He also raised concerns over the lack of fiscal transparency in the operations of the unit, citing the procurement and deployment of operational vehicles without any clear record of legislative appropriation or budgetary allocation from the parent agency.

According to him, the alleged operational and financial irregularities have contributed to revenue leakages in the mining sector, worsened insecurity in mining communities, and weakened investor confidence.

Following the motion’s adoption, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu mandated the House Committee on Solid Minerals Development to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the Mining Marshals to determine whether the unit is operating within its lawful mandate.

The committee is also expected to investigate allegations of illicit enrichment, including the reported N2 billion account linked to a former State Commander, as well as other alleged cases of compromise across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In addition, the panel will examine the funding source for the procurement of operational vehicles, all external financial inflows, the legal and budgetary framework supporting the unit’s expenditures, and the statutory compliance of its creation, structure, and composition.

The committee is expected to report its findings to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.