Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Ilorin has convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, to one year imprisonment for illegal mining and possession of solid minerals without the requisite licences.

Arraigned on April 22, 2024, alongside their company, Ebuy Concept Limited, Hong and Yi faced a charge of illegal mining.

The charge specified that in February 2024, at Banni in Kaiama Local Government Area, they unlawfully purchased and transported 30 tons of minerals in a truck registered as JJJ 386 XT, violating Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1984.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty initially but opted to plead guilty to an amended charge during the trial.

Subsequently, Justice Anyadike found them guilty after reviewing evidence, including extra-judicial statements, photographs, mineral samples, and a forensic report from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency.

Hong was sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N2 million fine, while Yi received the same prison term with a N1.5 million fine option.

Additionally, the court ordered the interim forfeiture of the minerals and the truck used in their transport.