Court orders final seizure of illegal mining site, trucks and lithium stones linked to Chinese and Nigerian suspects in Ogun

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of assets recovered from suspected illegal miners operating in Ogun State.

Justice Daniel Osiagor gave the order after the EFCC uncovered what investigators described as a major illegal mining network involving Chinese nationals and Nigerian collaborators allegedly dealing in mica and lithium stones for export.

Among the assets forfeited to the Federal Government are a mining site in Ode Remo Ogun State, a Toyota 4Runner SUV, multiple trucks loaded with lithium and mica stones, and a 40 foot container said to contain over 3,000 bags of mineral resources.

According to court filings, the syndicate allegedly mined and moved the minerals from different parts of Nigeria to Ogun State where they were sorted and prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

EFCC operatives reportedly stormed the site during an early morning operation, arresting two Chinese suspects believed to be key figures in the operation alongside six Nigerians.

The anti graft agency told the court the seized items were already at risk of deterioration due to the rainy season and requested approval to dispose of them while the criminal trial continues.

Justice Osiagor granted the request and directed that proceeds from the disposal be kept in an interest bearing account pending the outcome of the case.