Federal High Court Sentences Four Chinese Nationals To 20 Years For Illegal Mining In Plateau State

Justice Dorcas V. Agishi of the Federal High Court, Jos, Plateau State, has convicted and sentenced four Chinese nationals—Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong—to five years imprisonment each, totaling 20 years, for illegal mining of solid minerals in Plateau State.

The convicts were arrested on March 8, 2025, at the JLM Mining Company site in Jos following credible intelligence regarding their involvement in illegal mining operations.

Each of the defendants was prosecuted on a separate one-count charge bordering on illegal dealings in solid mineral resources.

The charge against Liang Quin Yong stated:
“That you, Liang Quin Yong, on or about the 9th of March at Dura Rayfield axis of Jos, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit; without lawful authority engaged in the purchase of mineral resources and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983.”

Identical charges were preferred against the other three defendants—Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong—detailing their unlawful purchase of mineral resources at the same location and date.

Upon arraignment, all four defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. The prosecution team, led by M.O. Arumemi and F.A.I. Asemebo of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), prayed the court to convict the defendants based on their pleas and the evidence presented.

Justice Agishi, satisfied that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicted and sentenced the defendants to five years imprisonment each or a fine of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) per person.

In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered their deportation from Nigeria and barred them from re-entering the country.

Furthermore, all proceeds of the crime were ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government. Specifically, Liang Quin Yong is to forfeit N134,874,769.01 (One Hundred and Thirty-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Nine Naira, One Kobo), being proceeds from the unlawful purchase of mineral resources.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of all recovered mineral resources and imposed an administrative fine of N16,300,000 (Sixteen Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) for failure to report a financial transaction within seven days, as mandated under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.