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| Court Sentences 2 Chinese Nationals for Unlawful Mining in Kwara |
Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has sentenced two Chinese nationals, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, to a one-year prison term for engaging in illegal mining and holding solid minerals without the necessary licenses.
The pair were brought before the court on Monday with their firm, Ebuy Concept Limited, on a single-count charge related to illegal mining activities.
The charge stated: “You, Ebuy Trading Worldwide Nig. LTD, Duan Ya Hong, Xiao Yi, in February 2024 at Banni, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, under the jurisdiction of this Federal High Court, unlawfully acquired minerals; specifically, 30 tons of minerals transported in a truck with Registration Number JJJ 386 XT, committing an offence against and punishable under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1984.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were presented to them.
Subsequently, they were granted bail for N5m with two sureties each for the same amount.
Furthermore, the court ordered their detention in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody until they met their bail conditions. The trial was then set for Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
On Tuesday, the accused, who had not yet fulfilled their bail terms, pleaded guilty to the first count of the revised 11-count charge and not guilty to the other charges, leading the court to postpone until Wednesday for fact review and potential sentencing.
During the Wednesday session, the EFCC’s lawyer, Innocent Mbachie, presented the case details and submitted as evidence the defendants’ statements, their photographs, mineral samples, truck images, and the forensic analysis from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency.
The defendants’ lawyer, I.A Ahmed, did not contest the evidence, and the court accepted it.
In her verdict, Justice Anyadike found that the prosecution had convincingly established its case and declared the defendants guilty.
As a result, the judge imposed a one-year jail sentence on Hong with an optional N2m fine, and a similar sentence with an optional N1.5m fine for Yi.
Additionally, the court mandated the temporary seizure of the 30 tons of minerals and the vehicle used for their transport.
