The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned two suspected illegal miners before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The suspects were brought before the court by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC on a five-count charge bordering on unlawful possession and exportation of mineral resources.
One of the charges read: “That you, Zhang Hong Lin, Gao Pei Hai, and Gao Pei Yu (at large), sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, conspired between yourselves and with intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of the revenue accruing therefrom and without the permission of the appropriate authority, engaged in the exportation of ‘Mica products, copper bearing and lithium bearing mineral resources’ out of Nigeria, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983 and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel Bilkisu Buhari requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility.
Defence counsel Jeremiah Okoro, however, asked the court to allow his clients remain in EFCC custody pending the determination of their bail application.
Justice Aneke declined the request and ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre. The case was adjourned to July 4, 2025, for trial.
The EFCC had arrested the two Chinese nationals on May 9, 2025, along with six Nigerians, over the alleged illegal mining activities in the Ogere area of Ogun State.
