The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, who were sentenced to five years' imprisonment each for conspiracy and the illegal export of Nigeria's solid minerals.
The duo was convicted by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, after pleading guilty to a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful possession and export of mica, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing mineral resources without lawful authorisation.
According to the EFCC, the defendants conspired with another suspect, Gao Pei Yu, who is currently at large, to illegally export the minerals, thereby depriving the Federal Government of revenue.
Following their guilty pleas, the prosecution presented evidence, after which the court found them guilty on all counts.
Justice Aluko sentenced each defendant to five years in prison on all five counts, with the option of paying a ₦50 million fine each in lieu of imprisonment. The court also ordered that all recovered mineral resources be forfeited to the Federal Government.