The Mining Marshals have arraigned 15 Chinese nationals and nine Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged illegal lithium mining activities in Nasarawa State.
The defendants were brought before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia of Court 6, Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, following their arrest on May 16, 2026, during an operation in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, where they were allegedly mining lithium without the requisite licence or lawful authority.
According to court documents, the suspects were apprehended within the mineral title area covered by Exploration Licence No. 036528-EL, legally owned by TIMADIX Geomin Consult Ltd. The alleged illegal operation was said to have been carried out within the coordinates of longitude 8°4’12″E and latitude 8°34’12″N.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/281/2026 and obtained by THISDAY, accused the defendants of unlawfully engaging in mining activities contrary to Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004.
Under the law, the offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment upon conviction.
The Chinese nationals standing trial are Liu Jiabin, Hu Yunzhong, Zhou Yinmou, Zhao Feng, Zhang Yu, Tian Shuqun, Huang Ruqian, Liu Yanliang, Yang Xiaobin, Huang Meiyun, Yuan Tao, Jia Qiuyong, Chen Menghao, Deng Peiming and Yu Yanhai.
The Nigerian defendants include Thankgod Sani, Abubakar Nuhu, Jonathan Akpa Sunday, Pius Favour, Agada Joshua, Sani Osu, Haruna Asambe, Elenekou Akoete Joli, and C and A International New Energy Ltd.
At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, Prof. M. T. Adekilekun (SAN), urged the court to grant bail to the accused persons, assuring that they would make themselves available for trial.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia granted the application and ordered that the defendants be released to their counsel pending trial. The court, however, directed the accused persons to deposit their international passports and national identity cards with the court registrar.
No monetary bond, sureties, or forfeiture conditions were imposed as part of the bail terms.
Speaking after the proceedings, Lead Prosecution Counsel for the Mining Marshals, Ojo Toluwatope Alex, said the court exercised its discretion in granting bail and effectively placed responsibility on the defence counsel to ensure the defendants’ appearance throughout the trial.
While expressing concern over the possibility of the accused persons absconding, Alex said he hoped none of those released to the senior advocate would jump bail.
The case was adjourned until June 18, 2026, for trial.
Reacting to the development, Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah John Onoja, reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to rid Nigeria’s mining sector of illegal operators.
He described the fight against illegal mining as a national duty, stressing that sustained enforcement actions remain critical to safeguarding the country’s mineral resources and restoring order to the sector.
