Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, before Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, for conspiracy and the illegal mining and attempted export of solid minerals. The conviction, handed down on Friday, July 31, 2026, marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against the illegal exploitation of Nigeria's mineral resources, which has cost the country billions of naira in lost revenue and fuelled insecurity in parts of the North-West.
The defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful possession of mineral resources intended for export without lawful authority. One of the charges reads: "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." According to the EFCC, the defendants, alongside one Gao Pei Yu, who is currently at large, conspired in 2025 to illegally export these strategic mineral resources without the approval of the appropriate authorities, thereby defrauding the Federal Government of revenue. The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.
Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, called the investigating officer, Matthew Orogwu, who reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documentary evidence before the court. After presenting the evidence, Kofarnaisa urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in line with the charges. In his judgment, Justice Aluko found both defendants guilty on all five counts and sentenced each of them to five years' imprisonment on each count, with an option of a ₦50 million fine covering all five counts. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the recovered mineral resources to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The case traces back to a sting operation carried out in the early hours of May 9, 2025, during which EFCC operatives arrested Zhang Hang Lin and Gao Pei Hai, alongside six Nigerians: Matthew Mathias, Oluwaseun Amoo, Wasiu Ademola Alao, Ajibola Nurudeen, Ibrahim Yinusa, and Saidu Shuaibu, following credible intelligence and detailed surveillance. At the point of arrest, operatives recovered three trucks loaded with sacks of substances suspected to be ground lithium powder and other solid minerals, as well as a Toyota 4Runner SUV, mobile phones, samples of low-grade lithium, ATM cards, international passports, and other documents. The syndicate was found to have mined and transported mineral resources from various locations across Nigeria to a site in Ode-Remo, Ogun State, where the minerals were sorted, processed, and prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
The conviction of Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai follows a series of related legal actions against the illegal mining syndicate. In May 2026, Justice Daniel Osiagor of the same Federal High Court ordered the final forfeiture of a mining site, vehicles, and mineral resources linked to the syndicate to the Federal Government. The forfeited assets included a mining site located behind the Baale's Palace on Ileposo Street, Ode-Remo, Ogun State, a Toyota 4Runner SUV, two trucks laden with substantial quantities of mica and lithium stones, and a 40-foot container holding the same mineral resources. The court also empowered the EFCC, in collaboration with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials, to dispose of the forfeited assets and deposit the proceeds into an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of criminal proceedings, given that the properties were at risk of rapid deterioration due to the rainy season.
Illegal mining has become a major national security concern in Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, where criminal networks have turned unregulated mineral extraction into a lucrative revenue stream that finances banditry, kidnapping, and the procurement of sophisticated weapons. The country loses over $9 billion annually to illegal mining, with a substantial portion tied to the gold and lithium sectors. A significant share of minerals extracted from the region is funnelled into terrorism financing, with illicit transactions increasing the influence of criminal groups. The conviction of the two Chinese nationals and the forfeiture of assets linked to the syndicate represent a significant blow to these criminal networks, demonstrating the determination of the EFCC and the judiciary to protect Nigeria's mineral wealth and hold perpetrators accountable.
The EFCC has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying the fight against illegal mining and other economic crimes, warning that those who engage in such activities will face the full wrath of the law. The Commission has also urged members of the public to provide credible information that would assist in the prosecution of those who engage in activities that undermine the nation's economy. The conviction of Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai serves as a stark warning to others who may be tempted to participate in the illegal exploitation of Nigeria's mineral resources. As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of insecurity and economic diversification, the protection of its mineral wealth remains a critical priority. The EFCC's latest victory in court is a testament to the agency's resolve to safeguard the nation's resources and ensure that those who seek to plunder them are brought to justice.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments