Two Chinese Nationals Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Unlawful Mining Activities

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has achieved a significant milestone with the conviction and sentencing of two Chinese nationals, Zhang Lin and Gao Hai, by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges of conspiracy and illicit mining of solid minerals.

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The defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge related to conspiracy and the unlawful possession of mineral resources intended for export without proper authorization, according to a statement posted on the EFCC's X account on Friday.

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A specific charge against the defendants stated that they conspired to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of revenue, and without permission, engaged in the exportation of mica products, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing mineral resources out of Nigeria, violating Section 1(8)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act, in 2025.

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The charge named Zhang Hong Lin, Gao Pei Hai, and Gao Pei Yu, who is currently at large, as the individuals involved in the conspiracy, with the intent to commit fraud against the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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Upon hearing the charges, the defendants pleaded guilty, prompting the prosecution counsel, H. U. Kofarnaisa, to call the investigating officer, Matthew Orogwu, to review the case facts and present documentary evidence before the court.

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Kofarnaisa subsequently urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants according to the charges, following the presentation of evidence by the investigating officer.

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Justice Aluko found both defendants guilty on all five counts and sentenced each to five years' imprisonment on each count, with the option of a N50m fine covering all five counts, in his judgment.

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The court also ordered the forfeiture of the recovered mineral resources to the Federal Government of Nigeria, in addition to the imprisonment and fine imposed on the defendants.