A High Court in Ilorin has imposed a two-year prison sentence on two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, for their involvement in the illegal mining of solid minerals in Kwara State.
The pair, alongside their company, Crius Chemical Nigeria Limited, based in Omi, Ogun State, were found guilty of a single count of trading in solid minerals without proper authorisation. They were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Section 134(b) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
After the charge was presented, the men admitted their guilt.
In his decision, Justice Abimbola Awogboro sentenced each to two years in prison.
Additionally, the court directed them to pay N14 million in royalties to the Nigerian government and forfeit all solid minerals discovered on their company’s premises.
