The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, brought two Chinese nationals—Zhang Hong Lin and Zhao Pei Hai—before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The suspects were charged with five counts involving illegal possession and exportation of mineral resources without proper authorization.
According to the charge sheet, Zhang Hong Lin, Zhao Pei Hai, and another individual identified as Gao Pei Yu (who is currently at large) allegedly conspired to export mineral products such as mica, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing materials out of Nigeria. Authorities say the export was done without the necessary approval, defrauding the Federal Government of expected revenue. The charges were based on Section 8(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act of 1983 and are punishable under the same law.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty during the court session. Prosecution counsel Bilkisu Buhari, alongside C.C. Okezie and H.U. Kofarnaisa, asked the court to set a trial date and requested that the accused be held in a Correctional Centre.
The defence lawyer requested that the suspects remain in EFCC custody until the court could hear their bail application. However, Justice Aneke denied the request and ordered that the two men be remanded in a Correctional Centre.
The court scheduled the start of the trial for July 4, 2025.
