The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, to 25 years’ imprisonment each for conspiring to unlawfully export Nigeria’s strategic mineral resources.

Justice Akintayo Aluko convicted the defendants on all five counts filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, relating to conspiracy, unlawful possession and attempted exportation of lithium-bearing, copper-bearing and mica minerals without the approval of the appropriate authorities.

The judge sentenced each defendant to 25 years’ imprisonment on the five counts, with an option of a ₦10 million fine on each count.

Justice Aluko directed that the sentences should take effect from the date the defendants were arrested.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of all the mineral resources recovered in connection with the offences to the Federal Government.

The convicts were prosecuted alongside another Chinese national, Gao Pei Yu, who remains at large.

They were arraigned by the EFCC through its counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to defraud the Federal Government of revenue accruing from Nigeria’s solid mineral resources, unlawful possession and attempted exportation of strategic minerals without lawful authority.

According to the charge filed before the Federal High Court on May 28, 2025, the defendants conspired in Lagos to deprive the Federal Government of revenue from the country’s solid mineral resources by attempting to export mica products, copper-bearing minerals and lithium-bearing ores without obtaining the approval of the appropriate authorities.

The prosecution said the alleged conspiracy contravened Section 1(8)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1983.

The remaining counts accused the defendants of unlawfully possessing various mineral resources intended for export on May 9, 2025, without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1983.

The minerals listed in the charge included Muscovite and Lepidolite, which are mica minerals, as well as Spodumene and Petalite, described as lithium-bearing ores.

Other minerals allegedly recovered included Anhydrite, Quartz, Magnesite, Bornite and Cuprite, which were identified as being associated with copper-bearing mineral resources.

After reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution, Justice Aluko held that the EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai.

The judge consequently found both defendants guilty on all five counts, imposed the custodial sentences and fine options, and ordered that the seized mineral resources be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The proceedings against Gao Pei Yu, the third defendant who remains at large, are yet to be concluded.

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