By Nkechi Eze
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of a mining site, trucks, vehicles and large quantities of lithium and mica stones recovered from Chinese nationals and Nigerians linked to illegal mining activities in Ogun State to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to an official signed statement by the Head, Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the forfeiture order on Friday, May 22, 2026, following an application filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Commission.
The statement disclosed that 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 substantial quantities of mica and lithium stones; as well as a 40-foot container containing large quantities of the mineral resources.
The EFCC, through its counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, had approached the court seeking an order for the custody and disposal of the recovered properties pursuant to Section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and other relevant laws.
The Commission also requested an order empowering the EFCC, in collaboration with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials, to dispose of the forfeited assets and preserve the proceeds in an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal trial.
According to an affidavit deposed to by an operative of the Commission, intelligence gathered by the EFCC revealed that a syndicate involving Chinese nationals and Nigerians was engaged in the illegal mining and trading of mineral resources, particularly mica and lithium stones.
Investigations showed that the syndicate allegedly mined and transported the minerals from various locations across the country to a processing site in Ode-Remo Local Government Area of Ogun State, where the materials were sorted, processed and prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The affidavit further revealed that EFCC operatives carried out a sting operation in the early hours of Friday, May 9, 2025, leading to the arrest of two Chinese nationals alleged to be kingpins of the operation alongside six Nigerians at the mining site.
Recovered items during the operation included the Toyota 4Runner SUV, three trucks laden with large quantities of mica and lithium stones, as well as a 40-foot container loaded with 3,210 bags of the mineral resources.
The Commission informed the court that the recovered properties were at risk of deterioration due to the rainy season and were already losing economic value.
The affidavit also stated that the principal suspects had already been arraigned before the court on charges bordering on unauthorised dealings in mineral resources.
After reviewing the affidavit evidence and submissions 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 assets be paid into an interest-bearing account pending the determination of the criminal proceedings against the defendants.
