The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, before the Federal High Court in Lagos on charges of illegal mining and unlawful possession of mineral resources.
The defendants are facing a five-count charge that includes conspiracy, illegal mining, and possession of various mineral deposits, such as lithium and copper.
They appeared before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on Wednesday.
A third suspect, Gao Pei Yu, also a Chinese national, is reportedly at large.
According to the EFCC prosecution team, led by Bilikisu Buhari-Bala and supported by Chinenye Okezie and Hanatu Kofanaisa, the accused conspired to defraud the Federal Government by engaging in illegal mining and exportation of mineral resources without official authorization.
The alleged offences were committed in May 2025.
The prosecution detailed that the suspects attempted to export several minerals illegally, including Mica products, lithium-bearing minerals, and copper-bearing substances.
Specific items listed include Muscovite, Leidolite (types of Mica minerals), Spodumene and Petalite (lithium-bearing ores), Anhydrite, Quartz, Magnesite, Bornite, and Cuprite (copper-associated minerals).
These actions, according to the EFCC, violate Sections 8(a) and 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act of 1983 and are punishable under the same provisions.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following their plea, the prosecution requested that the defendants be remanded at a correctional facility pending trial.
However, their legal representative, Jeremiah Okoro, asked that they remain in EFCC custody to allow him to apply for bail.
Justice Aneke ruled that Lin and Hai be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to July 4, 2025, for the commencement of trial.