Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Chinese Nationals imprisoned for illegal Mining in Kwara

POSTED ON May 17, 2024 •   Breaking News      BY Benedicta Bassey •   VIEWS 134
Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi/ Photo credit: Punchng.com

Two Chinese nationals, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, were reportedly arrested on following their involvement in illegal mining in Kwara State, the Econimic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed on Friday.

The EFCC, in a statement made available on its Facebook page disclosed that the convicts were first arraigned on April 22 alongside their company, Ebuy Concept Limited, on one count bordering on illegal mining before a Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

The anti-graft agency stated that following the arraignment of Hong and Yi, they pleaded not guilty to their offence and were granted bail in the sum of N5m and two sureties each.

The statement read in part, “The lone-count charge reads: That you, Ebuy Trading Worldwide Nig. LTD, Duan Ya Hong, and Xiao Yi, sometime in February 2024, at Banni, in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, without lawful authority, purchased minerals to wit; 30 tons of minerals conveyed in a Truck, with Registration Number JJJ 386 XT and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1984.”

“They pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

“Consequently, they were granted bail of N5m with two sureties each in like sum. In addition, the court ordered that they be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the perfection of their bail conditions. Thereafter, the case was adjourned to Tuesday, May 14, 2024, for trial.”

The statement stated further that following a second hearing on Tuesday, Hong and Yi, however, reversed their plea and admitted to being guilty of illegal mining.

Following their guilty plea and lack of objection from their defence counsel, the judge, Justice Anyadike, at the continued hearing on Wednesday, found the defendants guilty and sentenced them to one-year imprisonment each with an option of N2m and N1.5m fine respectively.

“The defendants, represented by I.A. Ahmed, did not object to the admissibility of the exhibits tendered by the prosecution; hence, they were admitted in evidence by the court.

“Delivering judgment, Justice Anyadike held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and pronounced them guilty as charged.

“Consequently, the judge sentenced Hong to one-year imprisonment with an option of fine of N2 million, while Yi, on the other hand, was sentenced to one-year imprisonment with an option of N1.5m,” the EFCC stated.

The court also ordered that the 30 tons of minerals and the truck conveying the minerals be forfeited.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Tinubu eyes livestock sector reform, investment to curb farmer-herder clashes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 22, 2024 0

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving the farmer-h...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Katsina Govt. applauds  NAF  strike against bandits, vows to sustain regional stability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 22, 2024 0

KATSINA – The Katsina State Government has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for successf...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Breaking : Supreme court voids National Lottery Act
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 22, 2024 0

The Supreme Court, on Friday, nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 enacted by the National Assemb...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
ECB's renews integration call as trade war looms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 22, 2024 0

European Central Bank, President Christine Lagarde renewed her call for economic integration across...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
FAO aims key outcomes at COP16 Saudi Arabia
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 22, 2024 0

The assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwae...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Illegal detention: Bizman slams N50m suit on NDLEA
BY Benedicta Bassey November 22, 2024 0

NIGERIA — A businessman, Damilare Samuel, has slammed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Appeal Court invalidates verdict against Rivers LG election
BY Benedicta Bassey November 22, 2024 0

ABUJA, Nigeria —The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja has nullified the judgement that prevent...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Man in Police net for defiling, impregnating 15-yr-old daughter
BY Benedicta Bassey November 22, 2024 0

CALABAR, Nigeria —A 48-year-old man, Mallam Adamu Umaru, was paraded by the Zone 6 Police Comm...

OUR CHANNELS:

OTHER ARTICLES ::

25th November, 2024
Tinubu eyes livestock sector reform, investment to curb farmer-herder clashes
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving the farmer-h...


Katsina Govt. applauds  NAF  strike against bandits, vows to sustain regional stability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

KATSINA – The Katsina State Government has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for successf...


Breaking : Supreme court voids National Lottery Act
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

The Supreme Court, on Friday, nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 enacted by the National Assemb...


ECB's renews integration call as trade war looms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

European Central Bank, President Christine Lagarde renewed her call for economic integration across...


China expands Visa-free entry to more countries to boost economy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

On Friday, China announced that it would expand visa-free entry to citizens of nine more countries a...


FAO aims key outcomes at COP16 Saudi Arabia
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 25, 2024 0

The assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwae...


Illegal detention: Bizman slams N50m suit on NDLEA
BY Benedicta Bassey November 25, 2024 0

NIGERIA — A businessman, Damilare Samuel, has slammed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency...


Appeal Court invalidates verdict against Rivers LG election
BY Benedicta Bassey November 25, 2024 0

ABUJA, Nigeria —The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja has nullified the judgement that prevent...


Man in Police net for defiling, impregnating 15-yr-old daughter
BY Benedicta Bassey November 25, 2024 0

CALABAR, Nigeria —A 48-year-old man, Mallam Adamu Umaru, was paraded by the Zone 6 Police Comm...


Trump picks Pam Bondi as Attorney General following Gaetz withdrawal
BY Benedicta Bassey November 25, 2024 0

WASHINGTON, United States  — US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Pam Bondi, a v...


Menu