Rita Odafe
On June 4, 2025, two individuals from China, Zhang Hong Lin and Zhao Pei Hai, were presented before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court located in Ikoyi, Lagos, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges against them consisted of five counts related to the illegal possession and exportation of mineral resources.
One of the charges states: “That you, ZHANG HONG LIN, ZHAO PEI HAI AND ZHAO PEI YU (AT LARGE) sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, conspired among yourselves with the intention to deceive the Federal Government of Nigeria regarding the revenue from these activities, and without the necessary approvals, engaged in the exportation of ‘Mica Products, Copper-bearing and Lithium-bearing mineral resources’ out of Nigeria, thus violating Section 8 (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983 and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act.”
They entered a plea of “not guilty” when the charges were formally presented.
Following their plea, prosecutor Bilkisu Buhari, assisted by C.C. Okezie and H.U. Kofarnaisa, requested a trial date and asked for the defendants to be kept in a Correctional Centre.
The defense, on the other hand, sought for their clients to remain in the EFCC’s custody until a bail application could be heard.
Justice Aneke denied this request, ordering that they be held in a Correctional Centre.
The hearing was rescheduled for July 4, 2025, to start the trial process.
