Court jails two Chinese nationals 25 years each for illegal export of Nigerian strategic minerals

Justice Akintayo Aluko of 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 offences relating to the illegal export of Nigeria’s strategic mineral resources.

The court found the defendants guilty on all five counts brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including conspiracy, unlawful possession and attempted exportation of strategic minerals without lawful authority.

Justice Aluko sentenced each defendant to 25 years’ imprisonment on each of the five counts, with an option of a ₦10 million fine on each count. The court also ordered that the sentences take effect from the date of their arrest.

In addition, the judge ordered the forfeiture of all the mineral resources recovered in the case to the Federal Government.

The two convicts were arraigned alongside a third suspect, Gao Pei Yu, who remains at large.

According to the charge filed before the court on May 28, 2025, the defendants allegedly conspired to defraud the Federal Government of revenue by attempting to export strategic mineral resources without the required authorisation.

The prosecution told the court that the offences were committed in Lagos and contravened the provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983.

The EFCC also accused the defendants of unlawfully possessing strategic mineral resources intended for export without lawful authority.

The minerals listed in the charge included mica minerals such as Muscovite and Lepidolite; lithium-bearing ores including Spodumene and Petalite; and other minerals associated with copper deposits, including Bornite, Cuprite, Anhydrite, Quartz, and Magnesite.

After reviewing the evidence presented during the trial, Justice Aluko held that the EFCC had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted and sentenced the two defendants accordingly.