The Mining Marshals have arrested a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi, over allegations that he facilitated the escape of Chinese nationals standing trial for alleged illegal mining offences in Nasarawa State.

The Marshals also confirmed that criminal charges have been filed against the officer and other suspects in connection with the alleged obstruction of justice.

The arrested Chinese defendants are facing trial in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/131/2025 before Justice M. S. Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

According to a statement issued by the Mining Marshals, the arrest followed proceedings in court on Monday during which the prosecution applied for the revocation of the defendants’ bail and requested the issuance of bench warrants after the accused persons failed to appear in court.

Counsel from the law firm of Kolawole Olowookere (SAN), representing the defendants, informed the court that his clients had been involved in an accident, which prevented them from attending proceedings for the fourth time. However, the Mining Marshals said no medical report or documentation from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was presented to support the claim.

Justice Liman subsequently revoked the bail earlier granted to the first, second and third defendants and issued bench warrants for their arrest.

The Mining Marshals alleged that intelligence reports later revealed that CSP Oyewumi and other police officers had facilitated the escape of the second and third defendants through the Nigeria-Cameroon border before June 3, 2026, allegedly with the assistance of an immigration officer who is currently under investigation.

The agency further alleged that the senior police officer was also making arrangements to help the first defendant, identified as Ren Quan Chen, flee through the same route before the court issued the bench warrant.

According to the statement, following the issuance of the warrant, Mining Marshals tracked Chen to an apartment in the Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja.

The Marshals alleged that they found CSP Oyewumi at the apartment alongside other suspected accomplices, including a Chinese woman identified as Sun Hui, who they claimed financed the officer’s alleged illegal activities, and Inspector Kingsley Monkap (Service No. NPF 337339), who they said is cooperating with investigators.

Commenting on the development, Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah John Onoja, described the alleged obstruction of the prosecution and facilitation of the suspects’ escape as a serious criminal offence.

According to him, anyone who assists defendants standing trial to evade justice becomes “an accessory after the fact” under Section 227 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and may be liable to punishment under Section 127 of the Penal Code Act.

Onoja said the allegations were particularly troubling because they involved serving police officers.

According to him, it is even worse when the persons facilitating the escape of defendants who are on trial are policemen.

He added that such conduct could also amount to discreditable conduct under the Nigeria Police Regulations and could attract dismissal from service.

The commander further alleged that CSP Oyewumi had been living in the same apartment as the fleeing defendants for more than one year, questioning what could have motivated such an arrangement.

According to Onoja, all the suspects have now been charged in accordance with the Mining Marshals’ standard operating procedures.

He said the suspects, including the re-arrested first defendant, would be re-arraigned before the Federal High Court, where they would have the opportunity to explain the whereabouts of the remaining defendants who allegedly jumped bail.

The Mining Marshals also disclosed that they had taken possession of the apartment where the suspects were arrested to preserve evidence pending the conclusion of investigations.

The agency further alleged that several rounds of live ammunition for double-barrel and pump-action firearms, as well as quantities of suspected rare minerals, were recovered from the premises.

Investigators also reportedly recovered bank account statements and electronic devices, which are currently undergoing forensic examination.

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