Court jails two Chinese Nationals for illegal mining in Kwara

A Federal High Court in Ilorin has convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, to two years imprisonment each or an alternative fine of N1 million for engaging in illegal mining activities in Kwara State.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro delivered the judgment on March 7, 2025, also convicting their company, Crius Chemical Nigeria Limited, for illegal solid mineral mining.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the case on a one-count charge, which stated that the defendants engaged in mineral dealings without lawful authorization, in violation of Section 134(b) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.

During the trial, the defendants pleaded guilty. The EFCC counsel, Sesan Ola, presented evidence, including their extra-judicial statements, a report from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, and their passports, all of which were admitted in court.

Having found them guilty, Justice Awogboro sentenced each convict to two years in prison or a N1 million fine. The same fine was imposed on Crius Chemical Nigeria Limited.

Additionally, the court ordered the convicts to remit N14 million in royalties to the federal government. All solid minerals found at the company’s premises, located at No. 1, Idi Ope Road, along Ogunmakin-Odede Road, Omi, Ogun State, were also forfeited to the government.