The convicts — Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong —were apprehended on March 8, 2025, at the JLM Mining Company site in Jos following credible intelligence reports on their suspected involvement in illegal mining activities.
Justice Dorcas V. Agishi of the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, has convicted and sentenced four Chinese nationals to 20 years imprisonment for illegal mining of solid minerals.
The convicts — Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong —were apprehended on March 8, 2025, at the JLM Mining Company site in Jos following credible intelligence reports on their suspected involvement in illegal mining activities.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged the four men separately on a one-count charge each, bordering on illegal dealings in solid minerals without lawful authority, contrary to Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983.
According to court documents, each of the defendants was arrested around the Dura Rayfield axis of Jos on March 9, 2025, where they were found unlawfully purchasing mineral resources without the necessary approvals or licenses.
They pleaded “guilty” when the charges were read to them, following which EFCC counsel, M.O. Arumemi and F.A.I Asemebo prayed the court to convict them accordingly.
“Satisfied that the prosecution has proven the case beyond reasonable doubts, Justice Agishi found the defendants guilty and sentenced the four Chinese to five years imprisonment each or to pay a fine of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira only) each for unlawful purchase and possession of mineral resources.”
The judge also ordered that the convicts
be deported from Nigeria and banned from re-entering the country.
All proceeds of crime are to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria while Liang Quin Yong is to forfeit the sum of 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 formed the proceeds of the unlawful purchase of the mineral resources.
However, Justice Agishi orderd the forfeiture of the entire mineral resources recovered in the course of investigation and the sum of N16,300,000 (Sixteen Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) as administrative fine for failure to report a financial transaction within seven days to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) as provided under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arraigned before the court for illegal dealing in solid minerals.
They pleaded guilty to the charges and were convicted.
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