EFCC Arraigns Two Chinese, Company for Alleged Illegal Mining in Ilorin

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, April 22, 2024, arraigned two Chinese nationals, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, along with their company, Ebuy Concept Limited, before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin over alleged illegal mining activities.

Charges

Specifically, the defendants were arraigned on one count bordering on possession of solid minerals without a permit and non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.

The charge reads:

“That you, Ebuy Trading Worldwide Nig.LTD, Duan Ya Hong, Xiao Yi, sometime within the month of February 2024 at Banni, in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, without legal authority, acquired minerals, to wit, 30 tons of minerals conveyed in a truck, with Registration Number JJJ 386 XT, and thereby committed an offense, contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offenses Act 1984.

Plea and Proceedings

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was read in English and translated to them in the Chinese Language.

Following their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Innocent Mbachie, prayed the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the hearing and determination of the case. He further prayed for the court to fix a date for trial to enable the prosecution to prove its case.

Bail Application

Responding, counsel to the defendants, A. A Aromolaran, prayed the court to admit his clients to bail. He stated that the international travel documents of the defendants were already in the custody of the Commission, adding that there was no way they would not be available for trial, just as he assured that they would not interfere with investigations or intimidate witnesses.

Justice Anyadike, after hearing arguments and counter-arguments from both sides, granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5million naira with two sureties each in like sum.

Bail Conditions

The judge ordered that the sureties must be landowners within the jurisdiction of the court and must deposit the deeds of title of the properties with the court’s registry. The court also ordered that the sureties must provide proof of payment of utility bills for the past ten months and proof of tax payments for the past three years.

Thereafter, the judge ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the perfection of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till May 16, 2024, for the commencement of trial.