By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Zhao Pei Hai, before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges bordering on illegal possession and unlawful exportation of mineral resources.
According to an official signed statement by the Commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the suspects were brought before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Lagos Division on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC.
The defendants were docked on a five-count charge involving conspiracy and the illegal exportation of critical mineral resources including mica products, copper-bearing and lithium-bearing materials, without authorisation from the appropriate authorities.
One of the counts reads: “That you, ZHANG HONG LIN, GAO PEI HAI AND GAO PEI YU (AT LARGE) sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired between yourselves and with intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of the revenue accruing therefrom and without the permission of the appropriate authority, engaged in the exportation of ‘Mica Products, Copper bearing and Lithium bearing mineral resources’ out of Nigeria, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983 and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act.”
Both accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them in court.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel Bilkisu Buhari, who appeared alongside C.C. Okezie and H.U. Kofarnaisa, requested a trial date and moved that the defendants be remanded in a Correctional Centre pending trial.
However, the defence counsel urged the court to remand the accused persons in EFCC custody while awaiting the hearing of their bail applications. Justice Aneke declined the application and ordered that the defendants be remanded at a Correctional Centre.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter till July 4, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
The EFCC has continued to intensify efforts in curbing the illegal mining and export of Nigeria’s mineral wealth, warning that such activities not only deprive the nation of vital revenue but also constitute a threat to national economic security.
