Lagos, Nigeria – June 5, 2025 — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, illegal mining, and unlawful possession of mineral resources, including lithium.
The EFCC alleged that the duo, alongside one Gao Pei Yu, who is currently at large, engaged in the unauthorized export of strategic mineral resources such as mica products, copper-bearing ores, and lithium-bearing minerals from Nigeria.
According to the prosecution, the offences were committed in May 2025 within Lagos, in violation of Section 8(a) and 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, and are punishable under the same law.
The defendants were said to have been caught in possession of various mineral samples marked for export, including:
T-12078LA – Muscovite and Leidolite (Mica minerals),
LSR585XD – Spodumene and Petalite (Lithium-bearing minerals),
LSR585XD – Anhydrite, Quartz, Magnesite, Bornite, and Cuprite (Copper-bearing ores),
APP379XW – Additional lithium ores.
The EFCC informed the court that the defendants acted without the approval of any competent authority, thereby defrauding the Nigerian government of revenue due from the exportation of the strategic resources.
When the charges were read, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, the prosecuting counsel urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody pending trial. However, defense counsel pleaded that the defendants be held in EFCC custody instead.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ruled in favour of the prosecution, ordering that Zhang and Gao be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. The judge adjourned the case to July 4, 2025, for commencement of trial.
The case has raised further concerns over illegal mining and mineral smuggling activities in Nigeria, particularly involving high-demand resources such as lithium, which is critical in global tech and battery production.
Comments