Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi has ordered the final forfeiture of properties recovered from Chinese nationals and Nigerians allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in Ogun State to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The order was granted on Friday, May 22, 2026, following an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1.
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 large quantities of mica and lithium stones; and a 40-foot container containing substantial quantities of the minerals.
The EFCC, through its counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, sought an order for the custody and disposal of the recovered assets pursuant to Section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and other relevant laws.
The anti-graft agency also requested the court to empower the EFCC, in collaboration with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials, to dispose of the assets and deposit the proceeds into an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal trial.
According to an affidavit filed by an EFCC operative, intelligence reports revealed that several Chinese nationals and Nigerians were involved in the illegal mining and trade of mineral resources, particularly mica and lithium stones.
The affidavit stated that the syndicate allegedly mined and transported the minerals from different parts of the country to a processing site in Ode-Remo Local Government Area of Ogun State, where the materials were sorted and prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The commission further disclosed that operatives carried out a sting operation in the early hours of May 9, 2025, leading to the arrest of two Chinese suspects believed to be kingpins alongside six Nigerians at the mining site.
Recovered items reportedly included the Toyota SUV, three trucks carrying large quantities of mica and lithium stones, as well as a 40-foot container loaded with 3,210 bags of the mineral resources.
According to the EFCC, the assets were at risk of rapid deterioration due to the rainy season and were already losing economic value.
The commission also informed the court that the principal suspects had already been arraigned on charges related 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 proceedings against the defendants.
