Four Chinese Nationals Jailed, To Be Deported for Illegal Mining in Plateau State
In a landmark ruling, Justice Dorcas V. Agishi of the Federal High Court, Jos, Plateau State, has convicted and sentenced four Chinese nationals to a total of 20 years in prison for engaging in illegal mining activities in Plateau State.
The convicts—Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong—were each sentenced to five years imprisonment or an option of a N1 million fine after they pleaded “guilty” to separate one-count charges bordering on unlawful purchase and possession of solid mineral resources.
They were arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on March 8, 2025, at the JLM Mining Company site, following credible intelligence reports linking them to illicit mining activities in the Dura Rayfield axis of Jos.
Each defendant was charged under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983. The charge against Liang Quin Yong read: “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, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong faced identical charges for unlawfully engaging in the purchase of mineral resources.
Following their guilty plea, EFCC counsels M.O. Arumemi and F.A.I. Asemebo urged the court to convict them accordingly.
Justice Agishi ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and pronounced all four defendants guilty.
In addition to the jail term and fines, the court ordered that the convicts be deported from Nigeria and permanently banned from re-entering the country.
All proceeds of the crime are to be forfeited to the Federal Government. Liang Quin Yong is to forfeit N134,874,769.01 (One Hundred and Thirty-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Nine Naira, One Kobo), which was identified as proceeds from the illegal mining.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of all mineral resources recovered during the investigation.
An administrative fine of N16.3 million was imposed for failure to report financial transactions to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), in line with Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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