Illegal Mining: Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Mining Site, Trucks, Lithium Stones to FG
LAGOS, NIGERIA – MAY 25, 2026
Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of properties recovered from Chinese nationals and Nigerians involved in illegal mining activities in Ogun State to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, May 22, 2026, affected assets linked to illegal mining and trafficking of mineral resources, particularly mica and lithium stones.
The forfeited properties 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 large quantities of the mineral resources.
The order followed a motion filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission through its counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, seeking custody and disposal of the recovered properties pursuant to Section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and other relevant laws.
The Commission 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 deposit the proceeds into an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
According to an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC operative, intelligence reports revealed that several Chinese nationals and Nigerians were involved in the illegal mining and trade of mineral resources across the country.
The affidavit stated that the syndicate mined and transported mica and lithium stones from different locations in Nigeria to a processing site in Ode-Remo Local Government Area of Ogun State, where the minerals were sorted, processed and prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
It further revealed that EFCC operatives carried out a sting operation in the early hours of Friday, May 9, 2025, leading to the arrest of two Chinese nationals alleged to be kingpins and six Nigerians at the mining site.
Recovered items during the operation included the Toyota SUV, three trucks loaded with substantial quantities of mica and lithium stones, as well as a 40-foot container containing 3,210 bags of the mineral resources.
The affidavit also noted that the assets were at risk of rapid deterioration due to the rainy season and were already losing economic value.
According to the Commission, the principal suspects had already been arraigned before the court on charges relating to the unauthorised dealing 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 proceeds from the disposal be paid into an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal trial of the defendants.
