Court Jails Two Chinese Nationals 25 Years Over Illegal Export of Nigeria’s Lithium, Copper

A Federal High Court in Lagos has handed down a 25-year prison sentence to two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai. The sentences are for their involvement in conspiring to illegally export Nigeria's valuable mineral resources. Justice Akintayo Aluko convicted both men on all five counts they faced.

Each defendant received 25 years imprisonment for each count, with an alternative of a N10 million fine per count. The judge stipulated that the sentences would begin from the date of their arrest. Furthermore, the court ordered the forfeiture of all involved mineral resources to the federal government.

The two convicts, along with a third individual, Gao Pei Yu, who remains at large, were charged with conspiracy, unlawful possession, and attempted exportation of strategic minerals. The prosecution stated that the defendants conspired in Lagos to defraud the government by attempting to export mica, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing minerals without proper authorization.

The minerals involved included Muscovite and Lepidolite mica, Spodumene and Petalite lithium ores, and Anhydrite, Quartz, Magnesite, Bornite, and Cuprite associated with copper. The court found the prosecution's evidence sufficient to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to the conviction and sentencing.

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Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, to 25 years’ imprisonment each for conspiring to illegally export Nigeria’s mineral resources.