A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of properties linked to illegal mining activities in Ogun State to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Daniel Osiagor following an application filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The application sought legal custody and disposal of assets recovered from Chinese nationals and Nigerians allegedly involved in unlawful mining operations in the state.

Among the forfeited assets are a mining site located behind the Baale’s Palace on Ileposo Street, Ode-Remo, Ogun State, a Toyota 4Runner SUV, two trucks loaded with large quantities of mica and lithium stones, as well as a 40-foot container filled with substantial quantities of the minerals.

The EFCC, through its counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, requested the court to empower the Commission, in collaboration with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials, to dispose of the assets in accordance with Section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and other relevant laws. The Commission also sought an order directing that proceeds from the disposal be deposited in an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal trial.

According to an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC operative, intelligence reports indicated that a syndicate comprising Chinese nationals and Nigerians had been involved in the illegal mining and trafficking of mineral resources, particularly mica and lithium stones.

Investigations further revealed that the minerals were sourced from different parts of the country and transported to a processing site in Ode-Remo Local Government Area of Ogun State. The site was reportedly used for sorting, processing and preparing the minerals for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The affidavit also disclosed that EFCC operatives carried out a sting operation on May 9, 2025, which led to the arrest of two Chinese nationals alleged to be kingpins of the operation, alongside six Nigerians. During the operation, officials recovered the Toyota SUV, three trucks loaded with mineral resources and a 40-foot container containing 3,210 bags of mica and lithium stones.

The Commission informed the court that the recovered items were at risk of deterioration due to the rainy season and were rapidly losing economic value. It also noted that the suspects involved in the illegal activities had already been arraigned before the court on charges related to the unauthorised exploitation and trade of mineral resources.

After reviewing the affidavit evidence and arguments presented by the EFCC, Justice Osiagor granted the application and ordered the final forfeiture and disposal of the assets. The court further directed that proceeds from the disposal be paid into an interest-bearing account pending the determination of the criminal case against the defendants.