EFCC Arraigns Two Chinese Nationals for Alleged Illegal Mining and Exportation in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, on Wednesday, arraigned two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Zhao Pei Hai, before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged involvement in illegal mining and exportation of mineral resources.

According to a statement released by the EFCC, the defendants were brought before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on a five-count charge bordering on unlawful possession and export of Nigeria’s mineral resources.

One of the charges read:

“That you, ZHANG HONG LIN, GAO PEI HAI, and GAO PEI YU (now at large), sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired among yourselves with intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria by engaging in the exportation of ‘Mica Products, Copper-bearing and Lithium-bearing mineral resources’ without the requisite authorisation, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, and punishable under the same section.”

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their plea, the prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, who appeared alongside C.C. Okezie and H.U. Kofarnaisa, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendants in a Correctional Centre.

Counsel for the defence urged the court to allow the accused persons remain in EFCC custody pending the determination of their bail application. However, Justice Aneke declined the request and ordered their remand in a Correctional Centre.