The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, before the Federal High Court in Lagos on charges related to illegal mining and unlawful possession of mineral resources.
The defendants face a five-count charge that includes conspiracy, illegal mining, and possession of mineral resources such as lithium and copper. They were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke. A third suspect, another Chinese national identified as Gao Pei Yu, is currently at large.
The EFCC’s legal team, led by Bilikisu Buhari-Bala and supported by Chinenye Okezie and Hanatu Kofanaisa, alleged that the trio conspired to defraud the Federal Government by engaging in unauthorised mining and exportation of valuable mineral resources.
According to the prosecution, the offences were committed in May 2025 and involved the illegal export of various mineral products including Mica, lithium-bearing minerals like Spodumene and Petalite, as well as copper-bearing minerals such as Bornite and Cuprite.
Specific items listed in their possession included:
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T-12078LA: Muscovite and Leidolite (Mica Minerals)
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LSR585XD: Spodumene and Petalite (Lithium)
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LSR585XD: Anhydrite, Quartz, Magnesite, Bornite, and Cuprite (Copper)
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APP379XW: Spodumene and Petalite Ores (Lithium)
The charges brought against them are said to violate Sections 8(a) and 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act of 1983 and are punishable under the same statute.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Following their plea, the prosecution requested that they be remanded in a correctional facility and asked the court to fix a trial date.
Defense counsel, Jeremiah Okoro, appealed to the court to remand the defendants in EFCC custody instead, in order to present an oral bail application.
Justice Aneke ruled that the two accused be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until July 4, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
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