A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of assets recovered from suspected illegal miners operating in Ogun State to the Federal Government.
Justice Daniel Osiagor issued the order on Friday after granting an application filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over properties linked to the alleged illegal mining activities involving Chinese nationals and Nigerians.
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; and a 40-foot container containing mineral resources.
The application was moved before the court by EFCC counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, pursuant to Section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, alongside other relevant laws.
The anti-graft agency also requested an order authorising 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 determination of the criminal case.
According to an affidavit filed by an EFCC operative, intelligence reports indicated that a syndicate made up of Chinese nationals and Nigerians was engaged in the illegal mining and trade of mineral resources, especially mica and lithium stones.
Investigations revealed that the suspects mined and transported the minerals from different parts of the country to a processing site in Ode-Remo, Ogun State.
The minerals were reportedly sorted and prepared for export through the Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, both in Lagos
The EFCC disclosed that operatives carried out a sting operation in the early hours of May 9, 2025, leading to the arrest of two Chinese nationals alleged to be kingpins of the operation, alongside six Nigerians.
Recovered items during the operation included the Toyota 4Runner SUV, three trucks loaded with large quantities of mica and lithium stones, as well as a 40-foot container containing 3,210 bags of mineral resources.
The Commission told the court that the recovered properties were susceptible to rapid deterioration due to prevailing weather conditions and could lose economic value if not promptly disposed of.
The affidavit further stated that the principal suspects had already been arraigned before the court over allegations bordering on unauthorised dealings in mineral resources.
After reviewing the evidence presented by the EFCC, Justice Osiagor granted the application and ordered the final forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government.
The court also directed that proceeds realised from the disposal of the assets be paid into an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against the defendants.
