Adeyanju joins Minna miners’ death probe, vows to expose any cover-up

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has vowed to expose any attempt to suppress the truth or shield those responsible for the deaths of 37 alleged illegal miners in Minna, Niger State.

Adeyanju made the declaration on Saturday while accepting his appointment as a member of the independent committee constituted to investigate the incident.

The lawyer thanked the government for considering him for the committee, saying he accepted the responsibility primarily to ensure that the interests of the victims are protected and that the circumstances surrounding their deaths are fully established.

In a statement he personally signed, Adeyanju said his participation in the panel would be focused on representing the interests of the victims and ensuring a transparent investigation.

“Following the decision of the Government to constitute a committee to investigate the deaths of the alleged gold miners in Minna, Niger State, I have been invited to serve on the committee, with a view to ensuring that the interests of the victims are adequately represented,” he said.

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“I have accepted this responsibility and thank the Government for considering me worthy to serve. I am joining the committee solely to protect the interests of the victims and ensure that the truth is established.”

Adeyanju also asked the government not to provide members of the committee with stipends, honoraria or other monetary benefits, arguing that the assignment should be regarded as a national duty.

According to him, members of the committee should be prepared to make personal sacrifices in the course of investigating the deaths.

“I urge the Government not to make any monetary provision, stipend or honorarium for members of the committee, as this is a national duty for which we should be prepared to sacrifice,” he stated.

The activist lawyer further disclosed that he would personally bear his expenses, including accommodation and transportation, throughout the investigation.

“I will not accept any such payment, and I will not participate in or tolerate any attempt to compromise the investigation or cover up wrongdoing. I undertake to take care of my hotel, transportation and other expenses myself,” he added.

Adeyanju warned that any attempt to interfere with the investigation or protect individuals found to have played a role in the deaths would be publicly exposed.

“If there is any attempt to shield those responsible or suppress the truth, I will expose it. The victims deserve justice, and the Nigerian factor as we know it must not be allowed to prevail,” he said.

The committee is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths of the miners and establish what led to the incident, including determining whether there were breaches of law or other forms of wrongdoing.

Adeyanju’s appointment adds a prominent human rights voice to the investigative process, with his stated mandate centred on ensuring that the victims’ interests are represented and that the findings are not compromised