Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, to 25 years imprisonment for conspiracy and illegal mining.
The court found the duo guilty of engaging in unlawful mining activities in Nigeria, following their prosecution on charges bordering on conspiracy and illegal exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.
Justice Akintayo Aluko, the presiding judge, on Friday, convicted the Chinese nationals on a five-count charge and ordered the forfeiture of all the mineral resources recovered from them to the federal government.
The judge sentenced Zhang and Gao to 25 years’ imprisonment each, with an option of N10 million fine on each count. Zhang and Gao were charge alongside Ga Pei Yu, who is currently at large.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that on May 28, 2025, the defendants conspired to defraud the federal government of revenue accruing from the country’s solid mineral resources by attempting to export mica, copper-bearing and lithium-bearing minerals without the approval of the appropriate authorities.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that on May 9, 2025, the defendants unlawfully possessed various mineral resources intended for export without lawful authority.
The EFCC said the offences contravened Section 1 (8)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983.
The latest judgment is expected to reinforce ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies and the Federal Government to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources, strengthen regulatory compliance and determine illegal operators from exploiting the country’s solid minerals sector, the conviction adds to the growing number of Chinese nationals convicted in Nigeria.
-9News Nigeria.
