A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of assets recovered from Chinese nationals and Nigerians allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in Ogun State to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi issued the order on Friday following an application filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The forfeited assets include a mining site located behind the Baale’s Palace on Ileposo Street, adjacent to 59 Street, Ode-Remo, Ogun State, a Toyota 4Runner SUV with registration number AWE 261 AE, two trucks loaded with large quantities of mica and lithium stones, as well as a 40-foot container containing mineral resources.
Counsel to the EFCC, Bilkisu Buhari, had approached the court seeking an order for the custody and disposal of the properties under provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and other applicable laws.
The anti-graft agency also requested authorisation to collaborate with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials to dispose of the assets and deposit the proceeds into an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
According to an affidavit filed by an EFCC operative, intelligence gathered by the commission revealed that a syndicate involving Chinese nationals and Nigerians was engaged in the illegal mining and trade of mineral resources, particularly mica and lithium stones.
The affidavit stated that the suspects allegedly mined and transported the resources from various locations across Nigeria to a processing site in Ode-Remo Local Government Area of Ogun State, where the minerals were sorted and prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The EFCC further disclosed that operatives carried out a sting operation on May 9, 2025, leading to the arrest of two Chinese nationals described as alleged kingpins and six Nigerians at the mining site.
Recovered during the operation were the Toyota SUV, three trucks containing large quantities of mica and lithium stones, and a 40-foot container loaded with 3,210 bags of the mineral resources.
The commission informed the court that the seized items were at risk of rapid deterioration due to weather conditions and were already depreciating in economic value.
The affidavit also revealed that the principal suspects had already been arraigned before the court on charges related to the unauthorised handling and exportation of mineral resources.
After reviewing the evidence presented by the EFCC, Justice Osiagor granted the application and ordered the final forfeiture and disposal of the assets.
The court further directed that proceeds from the disposal of the forfeited items be paid into an interest-bearing account pending the determination of the ongoing criminal trial.
