Published March 10, 2025
By Taiwo Oguniyi
A Federal High Court in Ilorin has sentenced two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, to two years in prison or a ₦1 million fine each for engaging in illegal mining activities in Kwara State.
The duo, along with their company, Crius Chemical Nigeria Limited, were found guilty of conducting mining operations without the necessary permits. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the case against them for violating mining regulations.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, March 7, 2025, Justice Abimbola Awogboro also ordered the convicts to pay ₦14 million in royalties to the federal government. Furthermore, all minerals found at the company’s mining site in Ogun State were forfeited to the government.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale described the judgment as a significant step in the fight against illegal mining, which has contributed to environmental degradation and loss of revenue. “This conviction sends a strong message that Nigeria’s natural resources must be protected, and no one is above the law,” Oyewale stated.
The prosecution, led by Sesan Ola, presented key evidence, including the defendants’ extra-judicial statements, a report from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, and their passports. Justice Awogboro ruled that the EFCC had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The ruling highlights Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and ensure companies and individuals adhere to the country’s mining laws.
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