The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the conviction of two Chinese nationals, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, for their involvement in illegal mining activities in Kwara State.
In a statement released on its Facebook page on Thursday, the EFCC disclosed that the convicts were initially arraigned on April 22 alongside their company, Ebuy Concept Limited, on charges of illegal mining. The arraignment took place at the Federal High Court in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.
According to the EFCC, Hong and Yi pleaded not guilty to the charges during their initial hearing and were granted bail set at N5 million each, with two sureties.
The statement detailed the charge against them: “That you, Ebuy Trading Worldwide Nig. LTD, Duan Ya Hong, and Xiao Yi, sometime in February 2024, at Banni, in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, without lawful authority, purchased minerals to wit; 30 tons of minerals conveyed in a truck, with Registration Number JJJ 386 XT and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1984.”
The statement continued, noting that at their second hearing on Tuesday, Hong and Yi changed their pleas to guilty. With no objection from their defense counsel, Justice Anyadike found them guilty and sentenced them to one year in prison each, with options to pay fines of N2 million and N1.5 million, respectively.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the 30 tons of minerals and the truck used to transport them.
In July 2023, EFCC operatives from the Ilorin Zonal Command arrested 13 Chinese nationals for illegal mining activities in the state. The arrests were made following credible intelligence regarding their activities, which included illegal mining and failure to pay royalties to the Federal Government, as required by law. These arrests involved one female and 12 males, and the offense was said to contravene Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.
