Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of assets recovered from Chinese nationals and Nigerians allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in Ogun State.
The order was granted 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.
Also forfeited are a Toyota 4Runner SUV with registration number AWE 261 AE, two trucks loaded with mica and lithium stones, and a 40-foot container containing large quantities of the mineral resources.
The EFCC, through its counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, sought an order empowering the commission to take custody of the assets and dispose of them in collaboration with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials.
The commission also requested that proceeds from the disposal be paid into an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal trial.
The application was filed pursuant to Section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and other relevant laws.
According to an affidavit filed by an EFCC operative, intelligence reports revealed that a network involving Chinese nationals and Nigerians was engaged in the illegal mining and trade of mineral resources, especially mica and lithium stones.
The affidavit stated that the minerals were sourced from different parts of the country and transported to a processing site in Ode-Remo before being prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The EFCC disclosed that operatives conducted a sting operation on May 9, 2025, leading to the arrest of two Chinese nationals alleged to be kingpins and six Nigerian suspects at the mining site.
During the operation, officials recovered the Toyota SUV, three trucks carrying substantial quantities of mica and lithium stones, and a 40-foot container loaded with 3,210 bags of mineral resources.
According to the affidavit, the seized items were at risk of rapid deterioration because of the rainy season and were already losing economic value.
The commission also informed the court that the principal suspects had already been arraigned on charges related to 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 all proceeds from the disposal be paid into an interest-bearing account pending the determination of the criminal case against the defendants.
