Two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Zhao Pei Hai, appeared before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Wednesday for alleged Illegal mining in the state.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in a statement on X, said its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 arraigned both countrymen on a five-count charge bordering on unlawful possession and exportation of mineral resources.

“That you, ZHANG HONG LIN, GAO PEI HAI AND GAO PEI YU (at large), sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired between yourselves and with intent to defraud the federal government of Nigeria of the revenue accruing therefrom and without the permission of the appropriate authority, engaged in the exportation of ‘Mica Products, copper bearing and lithium-bearing mineral resources’ out of Nigeria, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8 (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983 and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act,” one of the counts read.

Both suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, who appeared with C.C. Okezie and H.U Kofarnaisa, to pray the court to remand them in a correctional centre, while also asking for a trial date.

The defence counsel, however, prayed the court to remand his clients in the custody of the EFCC, pending the hearing of their bail applications.

Justice Aneke rejected the application by the defence counsel and remanded them in a correctional centre.

The judge adjourned the case until July 4, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.