A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced two Chinese nationals to five years in prison after finding them guilty of conspiracy and illegal mining-related offences involving solid minerals intended for export from Nigeria.
The convicts, Zhang Lin and Gao Hai, were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a five-count charge bordering on unlawful possession and attempted export of mineral resources without the required government authorization.
The judgment was delivered by Akintayo Aluko after both defendants pleaded guilty to all charges brought against them.
According to the EFCC, the two men illegally possessed valuable mineral resources, including mica products as well as copper- and lithium-bearing minerals, which were allegedly prepared for export without approval from the relevant regulatory authorities.
The anti-graft agency stated that the defendants conspired with another suspect, Gao Pei Yu, who is currently at large, to carry out the illegal operation. Investigators alleged that the offences were committed in Lagos in 2025 and were capable of depriving the Federal Government of significant revenue from the country’s mineral resources.
During the court proceedings, EFCC counsel H.U. Kofarnaisa presented the prosecution’s case by calling the investigating officer, Matthew Orogwu, to review the facts surrounding the investigation and tender documentary evidence before the court. Following the presentation, the prosecution urged the court to convict the defendants based on their guilty pleas and the evidence submitted.
After reviewing the case, Justice Aluko found both men guilty on all five counts and sentenced each of them to five years’ imprisonment on each count. However, the court also granted the convicts the option of paying a fine of ₦50 million each, covering all five counts.
In addition to the prison sentence and fines, the court ordered that all recovered mineral resources connected to the case be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The judgment represents another milestone in the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and unauthorized mineral exports, which have continued to pose significant economic and environmental challenges across Nigeria. Authorities have repeatedly warned that illegal exploitation of the country’s solid mineral resources not only deprives the government of much-needed revenue but also undermines legitimate mining operations and national economic development.
The conviction underscores the increasing commitment of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to enforcing Nigeria’s mining laws and holding individuals accountable for violations involving the country’s natural resources.
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