The Nigerian government accused the mining company of plans to embarrass Tinubu in the UK

The Federal Government has accused a mining company, Jupiter Ltd, of planning to sponsor a “slander campaign” against President Bola Tinubu during his planned state visit to the UK.

The alleged plan, according to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, is aimed at discrediting ongoing reforms in the mining sector and misleading the international community about the circumstances surrounding the revocation of certain mineral permits.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the ministry rejected claims that Nigeria seized British lithium projects under armed guard, and described the allegations as false and misleading.

Tomori said the Federal Government had no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium, and stressed that Nigeria’s mining laws prohibit foreign companies from directly holding mineral ownership rights.

The statement read, “It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development that an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, is planning to organize a smear campaign against the Federal Government of Nigeria during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK.

“Earlier this week, Special Advisor to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kehinde Bamigbetan, wrote a response to what we described as a network of lies sponsored by Jupiter Ltd in a publication entitled ‘Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.’

“Our response, entitled ‘In the Nigerian Mining Sector, the Law Makes No Difference’, exposed the activities of Steve Davis and Hamish MacDonald, whose efforts in the mining sector have finally met the demands of the law.”

According to the ministry, the controversy stems from the revocation of mineral certificates belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to Australian citizen Steve Davis.

The government said the revocation followed the company’s failure to meet financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations.

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Tomori stated that Basin Mining Ltd lost its mineral holdings after it failed to pay statutory annual service charges of N2.494 billion for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.

The unpaid fees include mineral property rights 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML, which were revoked after notification was given to the company in accordance with existing regulations.

The ministry also rejected claims that the certificates were transferred to Chinese companies, and described the allegations as fabrications aimed at misleading the public and the international community.

Davis is alleged to have interests in several mining companies operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.

According to the government, such arrangements are often used by speculators to obtain mineral rights without conducting actual mining operations.

The ministry said the practice has contributed to the problem of inactive mining permits and illegal mining activities in the country.

It stated that the Federal Government was determined to end such practices.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms because of the behavior of any individual or company,” Tomori added.

“Our commitment to transforming the mining sector into a major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product is unwavering.”

The ministry urged Nigerians and international stakeholders to ignore what it described as attempts by “discredited individuals” to undermine the country’s reform agenda.

Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a state visit to the UK on March 18-19 2026, following an invitation from King Charles III, who will host the Nigerian leader at Windsor Castle.