Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of assets recovered from Chinese and Nigerian suspects involved in illegal mining activities in Ogun State to the Federal Government.
The forfeited assets include a mining site located behind the Baale’s Palace on Ileposo Street, near 59 Street, Ode-Remo, Ogun State, a Toyota 4Runner SUV, two trucks loaded with substantial quantities of mica and lithium stones, and a 40-foot container filled with similar mineral resources.
The ruling was delivered on Friday, May 22, 2026, following an application filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through counsel Bilkisu Buhari, seeking the custody and disposal of the assets under Section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and other relevant provisions of the law.
The EFCC also sought approval to dispose of the forfeited items in collaboration with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials, with proceeds to be deposited in an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of ongoing criminal proceedings.
According to an affidavit submitted by an EFCC operative, intelligence reports indicated that the suspects—comprising Chinese nationals and Nigerians—were engaged in illegal mining and trafficking of mineral resources, particularly mica and lithium stones.
The affidavit stated that the syndicate extracted minerals from various locations across Nigeria and transported them to a processing site in Ode-Remo Local Government Area of Ogun State, where they were sorted and prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
EFCC operatives reportedly carried out a sting operation on May 9, 2025, leading to the arrest of two Chinese nationals identified as alleged ringleaders, alongside six Nigerian suspects at the mining site.
Items recovered during the operation included a Toyota SUV, three trucks loaded with mineral resources, and a 40-foot container containing about 3,210 bags of mica and lithium stones.
The Commission also told the court that the seized assets were at risk of deterioration due to the rainy season and were already losing economic value.
It added that key suspects in the case had already been arraigned before the court on charges relating to illegal mining and unauthorised dealing in mineral resources.
After reviewing the affidavit and submissions, Justice Osiagor granted the application and ordered the final forfeiture and disposal of the assets.
The judge further directed that the proceeds from the disposal be kept in an interest-bearing account pending the outcome of the criminal trial.
