Gang Deng, a 29-year-old Chinese national, was found guilty and given a five-year prison sentence on Wednesday by Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, for offenses that bordered on illegal mining and possession of crude minerals without authority.
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made the arrest of the group on September 9, 2022, along Tsaragi Road in Share town, which is located in the Edu local government area of the state.
He was found to have 25 tons of lepidolite-like crude minerals in his possession.Lepidolite is typically transported to China as a raw material for the production of batteries for automobiles, smartphones, cameras, and other electronic devices.
It should be recalled that on August 30, 2022, members of the EFCC, along with members of the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, made 13 arrests of suspected illegal miners who were operating in Kakafu village, which is located in the Patigi local government area of the State.
Sinuo Xinyang Nigeria Ltd.’s managing director, a Chinese national, admitted to the crime and admitted that he was operating without a license.
As a result, Gang and his company, Sinuo Xinyang Nigeria Ltd., were brought before Justice Sani on a single count amended charge by the EFCC’s Ilorin Command.
The defendant entered a “not guilty plea” for his business when the charge was read to him.
The charge begins with:That Sinuo Xinyang Nigeria Ltd. and Gang Deng purchased mineral without authorization in September 2022 at Share along Tsaragi Road in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, which is subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.25 tons of mineral worth N2,490,000.00 were transported in a DAF truck with the registration number KLRAD85XCOE603462, committing an offense that is contrary to the Miscellaneous Offenses Act 1984 and punishable under Section 1 (8)(b).
Innocent Mbachie, the EFCC’s attorney, reviewed the case’s facts and presented documents, which were admitted into evidence, following his plea.He asked the judge to find the defendant guilty of the charges.
In rendering his decision, Justice Sani took into account the argument made by Gang’s attorney, who argued for clemency on the grounds that Gang was a first-time offender and a good citizen.
As a result, Gang received a five-year prison sentence from the court, with an additional option of N1 million.
The judge also said that the 25 tons of mineral that were found on him when he was arrested should go to the federal government.
After that, the court moved the hearing in the case of the convict’s company, Sinuo Xinyang Nigeria Ltd., to November 17, 2022.