Court orders final forfeiture of assets linked to illegal mining

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of assets recovered from suspects involved in illegal mining activities in Ogun State to the Federal Government.

The order followed an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, seeking custody and disposal of the seized properties under relevant provisions of the law.

The forfeited items include a mining site in Ode-Remo, a Toyota 4Runner SUV, two trucks loaded with mica and lithium stones, and a 40-foot container filled with large quantities of the minerals.

The EFCC also requested that it be allowed, in collaboration with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials, to dispose of the assets, with proceeds to be kept in an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal trial.

According to an affidavit by an EFCC operative, investigations revealed that a syndicate comprising Chinese nationals and Nigerians was involved in illegal mining and export of mineral resources, particularly mica and lithium.

The minerals were reportedly sourced from different parts of the country and transported to a processing site in Ode-Remo, Ogun State, before being prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The commission disclosed that a sting operation carried out in May 2025 led to the arrest of two Chinese suspects believed to be key figures in the operation, along with six Nigerians.

Recovered items during the raid included multiple trucks and thousands of bags of mineral resources, some of which were already at risk of deterioration due to weather conditions.

After reviewing the evidence presented, Justice Osiagor granted the application and ordered that the assets be forfeited and disposed of, with proceeds remitted into an interest-bearing account pending the determination of the case.