A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of assets linked to illegal mining activities in Ogun State to the Federal Government.
Justice Daniel Osiagor gave the order after an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The assets include a mining site in Ode-Remo, Ogun State, a Toyota 4Runner SUV, two trucks loaded with mica and lithium stones, and a 40-foot container filled with mineral resources.
The EFCC said the suspects, including Chinese nationals and Nigerians, were involved in the illegal mining and export of mica and lithium stones.
According to the Commission, the minerals were moved from different parts of Nigeria to a processing site in Ode-Remo before being prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
EFCC operatives carried out a sting operation on May 9, 2025, leading to the arrest of two Chinese suspects described as kingpins and six Nigerians.
During the operation, officials recovered three trucks, a Toyota SUV, and a container holding 3,210 bags of mineral resources.
The EFCC told the court that the items could lose value because of the rainy season and asked for permission to dispose of them.
Justice Osiagor granted the request and directed that proceeds from the sale of the assets be kept in an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal trial.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
