Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of properties recovered from Chinese and Nigerian suspects involved 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 (EFCC) through its counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, seeking custody and disposal of the assets under Section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and other relevant laws.
The forfeited assets include a mining site located behind the Baale’s Palace on Ileposo Street, adjacent to 59 Street, Ode-Remo, Ogun State, a Toyota 4Runner SUV with registration number AWE 261 AE, two trucks loaded with substantial quantities of mica and lithium stones, and a 40-foot container containing large quantities of the minerals.
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The EFCC also sought an order authorising the commission, in collaboration with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials, to dispose of the forfeited properties and deposit the proceeds into an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal trial.
According to an affidavit filed by an EFCC operative, intelligence reports revealed that a network involving Chinese nationals and Nigerians had been illegally mining and trading mineral resources, particularly mica and lithium stones.
The affidavit stated that the syndicate transported the minerals from different parts of the country to a processing site in Ode-Remo, Ogun State, where they were sorted and prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The commission disclosed that a sting operation conducted on Friday, May 9, 2025, led to the arrest of two Chinese nationals alleged to be kingpins and six Nigerians at the mining site.
Recovered items during the operation included the Toyota SUV, three trucks carrying substantial quantities of mica and lithium stones, and a 40-foot container loaded with 3,210 bags of the mineral resources.
The EFCC further informed the court that the seized properties faced rapid deterioration due to the rainy season and were already depreciating in value. It added that the principal suspects had been arraigned before the court over 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, directing that proceeds from the sale be paid into an interest-bearing account pending the determination of the criminal case.
