Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the permanent forfeiture of properties and mineral resources recovered from Chinese nationals and Nigerians accused of engaging in illegal mining activities in Ogun State to the Federal Government.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, May 22, 2026, followed an application filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission through its counsel, Bilkisu Buhari. The anti-graft agency requested the court to grant custody and disposal rights over the seized items in line with Section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, alongside other applicable laws.
Among the assets forfeited to the Federal Government are a mining site situated behind the Baale’s Palace on Ileposo Street, adjacent to 59 Street in Ode-Remo, Ogun State, a Toyota 4Runner SUV, two trucks loaded with large quantities of mica and lithium stones, as well as a 40-foot container filled with substantial quantities of the same mineral resources.
The Commission also urged the court to authorise the EFCC, working together with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials, to dispose of the assets and keep the proceeds in an interest-bearing account until the criminal case against the suspects is concluded.
According to an affidavit filed by an operative of the EFCC, intelligence gathered by the agency showed that a network involving Chinese nationals and Nigerians had been carrying out illegal mining and trading of mineral resources, especially mica and lithium stones, across different parts of the country.
Investigations further revealed that the minerals were allegedly transported from several locations in Nigeria to a processing site in Ode-Remo Local Government Area of Ogun State. At the site, the materials were reportedly sorted and prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The affidavit stated that operatives of the Commission conducted a sting operation in the early hours of Friday, May 9, 2025, which led to the arrest of two Chinese nationals described as alleged kingpins and six Nigerians at the mining location.
Recovered during the operation were the Toyota SUV, three trucks carrying large quantities of mica and lithium stones, and a 40-foot container said to contain 3,210 bags of mineral resources.
The EFCC told the court that the seized items faced the risk of deterioration because of the rainy season and were already depreciating in value. The affidavit also disclosed that the main suspects connected to the illegal mining activities had already been arraigned before the court on charges bordering on unauthorised dealings in mineral resources.
After considering the affidavit evidence and arguments presented by the Commission, Justice Osiagor granted the application and ordered the final forfeiture and disposal of the assets.
The court further directed that all proceeds realised from the disposal should be paid into an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal trial involving the defendants.