Four Chinese Nationals Sentenced to 20 Years for Illegal Mining in Plateau State

 

In a significant legal development concerning illegal mining activities in Plateau State, four Chinese men have been convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms by the Federal High Court in Jos. Justice Dorcas V. Agishi presided over the case and handed down sentences of twenty years imprisonment each to Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong. The court's ruling comes after the defendants were found guilty of engaging in illegal mining and dealing in solid minerals without lawful authority in Jos, Plateau State.

The four men were arrested on March 8, 2025, at the JLM Mining company site in Jos following credible intelligence reports implicating them in unlawful mining operations. The arrests were part of a larger effort to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the region, which have been a growing concern for local authorities and the federal government.

Each defendant faced prosecution on a separate charge related to the illegal purchase and possession of mineral resources. These charges were brought under the provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, specifically Section 1(8)(b), which criminalizes the unlawful purchase and dealing in solid minerals.

The specific charge against Liang Quin Yong reads as follows:

"That you, Liang Quin Yong on or about the 9th of March, at Dura Rayfield axis of Jos, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit; without lawful authority engaged in the purchase of Minerals Resources and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983."

Similarly, Wang Huajie was charged with the same offence:

"That you, Wang Huajie on or about 9th of March, at Dura Rayfield axis of Jos, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit; without lawful authority engaged in the purchase of Mineral Resources and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1983."

Zhong Jiajing’s charge was also identical in content:

"That you, Zhong Jiajing on or about 9th of March, at Dura Rayfield axis of Jos, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit; without lawful authority engaged in the purchase of Mineral Resources and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1983."

Finally, Long Kechong faced the same charge:

"That you, Long Kechong on or about 9th of March, at Dura Rayfield axis of Jos, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit; without lawful authority engaged in the purchase of Mineral Resources and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1983."

When the charges were read to them in court, all four defendants pleaded guilty to the offences. The counsel representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. M.O. Arumemi and Mr. F.A.I Asemebo, urged the court to convict the men based on the clear evidence and their own admissions.

Justice Agishi, having reviewed the prosecution’s case and being satisfied that the charges had been proven beyond reasonable doubt, found all four men guilty. She sentenced each defendant to five years imprisonment or, alternatively, a fine of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) each for the unlawful purchase and possession of mineral resources.

Beyond imprisonment, the court also ordered that the convicts be deported from Nigeria and banned from re-entering the country, emphasizing the serious nature of their offences and the impact of illegal mining on Nigeria’s economy and environment.

In addition to the prison sentences and fines, Justice Agishi ordered the forfeiture of all proceeds derived from the crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Specifically, Liang Quin Yong was ordered to forfeit the substantial sum of N134,874,769.01 (One Hundred and Thirty-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Nine Naira and One kobo), which was identified as the proceeds from the unlawful purchase of mineral resources.

Furthermore, the court mandated the forfeiture of all mineral resources recovered during the investigation. Justice Agishi also imposed an administrative fine of N16,300,000.00 (Sixteen Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) on the defendants for failing to report financial transactions within seven days to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), as stipulated under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

This case marks a significant victory in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against illegal mining and associated crimes. It serves as a clear warning to anyone engaging in unlawful exploitation of the country’s natural resources. The swift action by the EFCC and the judicial system highlights the government’s commitment to enforcing laws designed to protect Nigeria’s mineral wealth and safeguard the environment.

In summary, the four Chinese nationals—Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong—were arrested for illegal dealings in solid minerals in Plateau State. They pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful purchase and possession of mineral resources and were each sentenced to imprisonment, fined, ordered to forfeit criminal proceeds, and deported from Nigeria. This judgment reinforces the legal framework against illegal mining and sends a strong message to offenders nationwide.