Jupiter Ltd. has been charged by the Federal Government of organizing a “campaign of calumny” against Nigeria during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom.
According to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the purported action was intended to deceive the international community about the termination of certain mineral licenses and undermine ongoing reforms in the mining industry.
Segun Tomori, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development’s Special Assistant on Media, denied allegations that Nigeria had taken control of a British lithium project while it was under armed guard in a statement released on Sunday, March 15. He called the accusation untrue and deceptive.
Tomori emphasized that Nigerian mining regulations prohibit foreign firms from directly holding mineral titles and stated that the Federal Government had no legal or contractual link with any company such as Jupiter Lithium.
“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has learned that Jupiter Ltd., a struggling mining company, intends to launch a campaign of defamation against the Federal Government of Nigeria during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom,” the statement said.
“Earlier this week, in a publication headed ‘Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard,’ Kehinde Bamigbetan, Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, wrote a response to what we called a tissue of lies sponsored by Jupiter Ltd.
“In Nigeria’s Mining Sector, The Law Is No Respecter of Persons,” our answer, detailed the actions of Steve Davis and Hamish MacDonald, whose mining business ultimately faced the full force of the law.
According to the government, the dispute started after Basin Mining Ltd., a Nigerian business connected to Australian Steve Davis, had its mineral titles revoked.
The government claims that the company’s failure to fulfill its statutory financial requirements under Nigeria’s mining legislation was the reason for the revocation.
According to Tomori, Basin Mining Ltd. lost the titles for not paying ₦2.494 billion in mandatory annual service fees for the fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
Mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML, and 40533ML were covered by the unpaid payments; these titles were revoked after the corporation was given due notice in accordance with current regulations.
Additionally, the ministry denied allegations that the licenses were transferred to a Chinese company, characterizing them as a fabrication meant to deceive the public and the global community.
Additionally, it claimed that Davis owned stakes in a number of Nigerian mining firms, such as Comet Minerals Ltd., Basin Mining Ltd., Range Mining Ltd., Northern Numero Ltd., Sunrise Minerals Ltd., and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.
According to the ministry, speculators frequently exploited these methods to obtain mineral titles without actually conducting mining operations. The government also claimed that this practice has led to dormant mining licenses and illicit mining activities in the nation.
Tomori declared, “The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company.”
“We are steadfast in our resolve to make the mining industry a significant contributor to the GDP of the country.”
According to reports, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been invited by Charles III to visit the United Kingdom on March 18 and 19, 2026. The Nigerian leader would be hosted at Windsor Castle.
Strengthening diplomatic and economic links between the two nations, particularly collaboration in commerce, investment, security, and migration, is anticipated to be the main goal of the visit.
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