Two Chinese Men Sentenced for Illegal Mining in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction of two Chinese nationals, Zhang Lin and Gao Hai, for conspiracy and illegal mining of solid minerals. They were sentenced by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The defendants faced a five-count charge related to conspiracy and unlawful possession of mineral resources intended for export without lawful authority. They pleaded guilty to the charges, which included engaging in the exportation of mica products and other minerals without the necessary permissions.

Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel H. U.

Kofarnaisa presented evidence, leading to the court's judgment. Justice Aluko found both defendants guilty on all counts and sentenced them to five years' imprisonment for each count, with an option of a N50 million fine covering all counts.

Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of the recovered mineral resources to the Federal Government of Nigeria.