The Mining Marshals have arraigned 15 Chinese nationals, nine Nigerians and a company 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, in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
According to court documents, the accused persons were allegedly caught carrying out mining operations without lawful authority or licence within the mineral title area covered by Exploration Licence No. 036528-EL, belonging to TIMADIX Geomin Consult Ltd.
The alleged illegal mining operation was said to have taken place within the coordinates of longitude 8° 4’ 12”E and latitude 8° 34’ 12”N.
A copy of the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/281/2026 indicated that the defendants were accused 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.
The offence, according to the charge, is punishable under the same provision and attracts a maximum penalty of life imprisonment upon conviction.
The defendants include 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.
Others are Thankgod Sani, Abubakar Nuhu, Jonathan Akpa Sunday, Pius Favour, Agada Joshua, Sani Osu, Haruna Asambe, Elenekou Akoete Joli, as well as C and A International New Energy Ltd.
At the commencement of proceedings, counsel to the defendants, Prof. M. T. Adekilekun, SAN, applied for bail on behalf of the accused persons, assuring the court that they would be available to stand trial.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia granted the application and ordered that the defendants be released to their counsel pending trial.
The court, however, directed the defendants to deposit their international passports and national identity cards with the court registrar.
The court did not impose any monetary bond, require sureties, or prescribe any sum to be forfeited in the event of a breach of the bail conditions.
Speaking after the proceedings, the Lead Prosecution Counsel for the Mining Marshals, Mr. Ojo Toluwatope Alex, said the decision to grant bail was entirely at the discretion of the court.
He said: “The grant of bail remains entirely at the discretion of the court.”
Alex explained that by virtue of the ruling and the undertaking made by the senior advocate representing the defendants, responsibility had effectively been placed on the defence counsel to ensure the attendance of the accused persons throughout the trial.
According to him, “By virtue of the ruling and the undertaking given by the senior advocate, the court has effectively placed responsibility on the defence counsel to ensure the defendants’ attendance throughout the trial.”
He, however, expressed concern over the possibility of any of the defendants absconding.
Alex said: “We hope none of the accused persons released to the senior lawyer will jump bail.”
The matter was subsequently adjourned until June 18, 2026, for trial.
Commenting on the development, the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah John Onoja, reiterated the agency’s commitment to sanitising the nation’s mining sector.
He described the campaign against illegal mining as a national responsibility and stressed the need for sustained enforcement efforts to eliminate unlawful operators and protect Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Onoja said: “The campaign against illegal mining is a national responsibility. Sustained enforcement efforts are necessary to eliminate unlawful operators and protect Nigeria’s mineral resources.”
Boluwatife Enome
