Illegal mining: Two Chinese men bag five-year jail

Two Chinese men, Zhang Lin and Gao Hai, have been sentenced to five years imprisonment each by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for their involvement in illegal mining and conspiracy. The conviction by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 stems from charges related to the unlawful possession and intended export of mineral resources.

The defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge, including conspiracy and engaging in the exportation of mica products, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing mineral resources without lawful authority. The prosecution argued that their actions constituted an offense contrary to the Miscellaneous Offences Act, aimed at defrauding the Federal Government of revenue.

Both Zhang Lin and Gao Hai pleaded guilty to the charges. During the trial, the prosecution presented documentary evidence, urging the court to convict and sentence the defendants. Justice Aluko found them guilty on all five counts.

In addition to the prison sentences, the court imposed an option of a N50 million fine covering all five counts for each defendant. Furthermore, the court ordered the forfeiture of all recovered mineral resources to the Federal Government of Nigeria, underscoring the seriousness of the illegal mining operation.

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That you, Zhang Hong Lin, Gao Pei Hai, and Gao Pei Yu (currently at large), sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves, with the intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of 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, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(8)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act.