By Innocent Anaba
Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, to 25 years’ imprisonment each for offences related to the illegal export of Nigeria’s strategic mineral resources.
The judge found the defendants guilty on all five counts filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which included conspiracy, unlawful possession and attempted exportation of strategic minerals without lawful authority.
Justice Aluko sentenced each defendant to 25 years’ imprisonment on each of the five counts, with an option of a ₦10 million fine on each count. He also ordered that the sentences take effect from the date of their arrest.
In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture of all the mineral resources involved in the case to the Federal Government.
