Illegal Mining Crackdown: Chinese Nationals and Firm Convicted in Ilorin Court
Two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, have been sentenced to jail for engaging in illegal solid mineral mining activities in Kwara State. The pair were convicted alongside their company, Crius Chemical Nigeria Limited, by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Ilorin.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Ilorin Directorate, prosecuted the defendants on a one-count charge related to unauthorised involvement in solid minerals mining. The court's ruling underscores efforts to enforce regulations and curb illegal mining operations within the state.
The charge sheet read: “That you, Yang Chao, Wu Shan Chuan, and Crius Chemical Nigeria Limited, sometime in March 2024, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, engaged in dealing with minerals without lawful authority, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 134(b) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.”
They pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read to them. Following this, EFCC counsel, Sesan Ola, reviewed the facts of the case through a witness—an operative of the commission—who tendered the defendants' extra-judicial statements, a report from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, and the defendants' passports, all of which were admitted in evidence.
Satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, Justice Awogboro found the defendants guilty, convicting and sentencing them to two years' imprisonment each or an option of a N1 million fine. The N1 million fine was also extended to the company.
In addition to their sentences, the convicts are required to remit N14 million in royalties to the federal government, while all solid minerals found on the premises of their company, located at No.1 Idi Ope Road, along Ogunmakin-Odeda Road, Omi, Ogun State, were forfeited to the federal government, according to a statement by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the anti-graft agency.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Maja Ajibola Saliu Ajia Shururat Olatinwo MATTA Girls Foundation Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon Olokoba Sulyman Aliyu Muyideen Economic And Financial Crimes Commission Afin Descendants Union Of Odo-Owa Issa Memunat Moyosore Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory Gafaru Olayiwola Olorisade Kwara 20 Billion Bond Abdulwahab Ololele Olajumoke Monsura Gafar Majlis For Sadakah, Zakat And Waqf Kwara Basketball Association Seun Bolaji Lasiele Alabi Yahaya Olawuyi Musibau Akanji Salihu Ajia Budo-Egba Abdullahi AbdulMajeed Olupako Ilesha-Gwanara Monkey Pox Dele Belgore Khadijat Ayoola Yusuf Share-Tsaragi Javed Khan Abraysports FC Saadu Yusuf Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu Abubakar Olusola Saraki Rice Farmers Association Of Nigeria Buhari Razak Atunwa Ahman Patigi Afusat Nike Ibrahim Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum Oye Tinuoye Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Opolo Global Innovation Limited Rueben Parejo Jeunkunu-Malete-Bani Public Holiday Moses Afolayan Alimi Abdulrazaq Kaosarah Adeyi Muhammad Mustapha Suleiman Olayinka Oladapo Jogunola Kuliyan Geri Arca Santa Lanre Issa-Onilu MalHub Ahmed Alhasssan IHS Towers AbdulKareem Yusuf Danhawa Borgu Bello Abubakar Niyi Ogundiran Tanke Road Okin Malt Valsolar Consortium Aasiyat Bello Oyedepo Femi Oladiji Yusuf Lawal CACOVID Palliatives Ahmed Shuaib Buranga Jimoh Lambe Abdulkareem YAKOOYO Abdulfatai Ahmed Christopher Tunji Ayeni Abdulquowiyu Olododo Gamji Members Association

