Ogun illegal mining site, trucks forfeited to FG by court order — EFCC

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of an illegal mining site, trucks loaded with mineral resources, lithium stones and other assets linked to alleged illegal mining activities in Ogun State to the Federal Government.

Justice Daniel Osiagor gave the order on May 22, 2026, following an application filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

According to the EFCC, the assets were recovered from Chinese nationals and Nigerians accused of engaging in unlawful mining operations and the illegal trade in mineral resources.

“The forfeited assets include a mining site located behind the Baale’s Palace on Ileposo Street, adjacent to 59 Street, Ode-Remo, Ogun State; a Toyota 4Runner SUV with registration number AWE 261 AE; two trucks loaded with mica and lithium stones; and a 40-foot container containing large quantities of the same minerals,” EFCC said.  

The anti-graft agency approached the court through its counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, seeking approval for the custody and disposal of the recovered properties in line with relevant provisions of the law.

EFCC also requested permission to work with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and court officials to dispose of the assets and keep the proceeds in an interest-bearing account pending the conclusion of the criminal trial.

An affidavit filed by an EFCC operative stated that intelligence reports uncovered the activities of a syndicate made up of Chinese nationals and Nigerians allegedly involved in the illegal mining and trading of mica and lithium stones.

Findings showed that the suspects allegedly transported the minerals from different locations nationwide to a processing site in Ode-Remo, Ogun State, before packaging them for export through Apapa Wharf and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The court was informed that EFCC operatives carried out a sting operation at the site on May 9, 2025, leading to the arrest of two Chinese nationals believed to be key figures in the operation and six Nigerian suspects.

Items recovered during the raid included the Toyota 4Runner SUV, three trucks loaded with mineral resources and a 40-foot container containing 3,210 bags of mica and lithium stones.

The commission further stated that the recovered assets were at risk of deterioration due to the rainy season and had begun losing economic value.

It also noted that the principal suspects had already been arraigned before the court on charges related to the unauthorised mining and trade of mineral resources.

After considering the evidence presented by the EFCC, Justice Osiagor granted the application and ordered the final forfeiture and disposal of the assets.

The court also directed that proceeds from the disposal of the forfeited properties be paid into an interest-bearing account pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

Ogun illegal mining site, trucks forfeited to FG by court order — EFCC