EFCC Secures Conviction of Two Chinese Nationals Over Illegal Mining, Mineral Export
EFCC Secures Conviction of Two Chinese Nationals Over Illegal Mining, Mineral Export
EFCC Secures Conviction of Two Chinese Nationals Over Illegal Mining, Mineral Export
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, for conspiracy and the unlawful mining and exportation of solid minerals in Nigeria.
The two defendants were convicted and sentenced by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, after pleading guilty to a five-count charge brought against them by the EFCC.
The charges bordered on conspiracy, unlawful possession of mineral resources and the exportation of mica, copper-bearing and lithium-bearing minerals without the requisite approval from the appropriate authorities.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants, alongside another Chinese national, Gao Pei Yu, who is currently at large, conspired in 2025 to deprive the Federal Government of revenue accruing from the illegal exportation of the mineral resources.
One of the charges alleged that the defendants, without lawful permission, engaged in the exportation of mica products, copper-bearing and lithium-bearing minerals from Nigeria, contrary to the provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983.
Upon the charges being read to them, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai pleaded guilty.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, called the investigating officer, Matthew Orogwu, who presented the facts of the case and tendered relevant documentary evidence before the court.
After reviewing the evidence, Kofarnaisa urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in accordance with the law.
Delivering judgment, Justice Aluko found both defendants guilty on all five counts and sentenced each of them to five years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a ₦50 million fine covering the five counts.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the recovered mineral resources to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The conviction underscores the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to tackle illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources, protect government revenue and ensure that mineral resources are explored and exported in accordance with the law.
EFCC Secures Conviction of Two Chinese Nationals Over Illegal Mining, Mineral Export
