The Federal High Court in Ilorin convicted two Chinese nationals for illegal mining, sentencing them to two years in prison with an option of a fine. They were also ordered to pay N14 million in royalties and forfeit all solid minerals to the government. The case highlights ongoing illegal mining issues in Nigeria involving foreign nationals.
The Federal High Court located in Ilorin, Kwara State, has convicted two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, for illegal mining activities. They received two-year prison sentences but were given an option to pay a fine. Additionally, the court mandated the payment of N14 million in royalties to the federal government and ordered the confiscation of all solid minerals found at their company’s premises.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecuted the case, charged the defendants and their company, Crius Chemical Nigeria Limited, with illegal dealing in solid minerals. This act is prohibited under Section 134(b) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007, which punishes offenders with a fine of up to N500,000 or imprisonment.
In court, the defendants pleaded guilty, leading the trial judge, Abimbola Awogboro, to convict them. The option provided included paying a fine of N1 million to the court, a penalty also applicable to the company involved. This case illustrates the ongoing issue of illegal mining which poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s economy.
Illegal mining is characterized as operations conducted without legal authorization and has been highlighted as a serious economic hazard. Foreigners have often been implicated in these activities, as evidenced by the case of Dang Deng, the Managing Director of Sinuo Xinyang Nigeria Ltd., who was previously convicted for illegally possessing 25 tons of minerals.
Moreover, recent patterns indicate persistent involvement of foreign nationals in illegal mining within Nigeria. In one instance, five Chinese nationals were arrested for operations at an unlicensed site in Akwa Ibom State, specializing in the extraction of ilmenite. Another case in Nasarawa State involved three Chinese nationals and two Nigerians arrested for mining fluorite, zinc, lead, and tin.
In summary, the conviction of Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan underscores the ongoing battle against illegal mining in Nigeria. The court’s actions highlight the importance of enforcing existing mining laws to protect the nation’s economy. Despite previous convictions, the trend of foreign nationals engaging in illegal mining persists, necessitating continued scrutiny and regulatory enforcement to mitigate this threat.
Original Source: www.premiumtimesng.com
