The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally levied charges against eight Chinese individuals and one Nigerian for their involvement in illegal mining activities in the Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within the Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, announced on Friday that the suspects were apprehended by the Mining Marshals, an elite security outfit derived from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The marshals, operating under “Operation Hayakin Kogo”, were established by the minister as part of his 7-point agenda to clean up the mining sector.
In a statement by his spokesman, Segun Tomori, Alake emphasized the significance of the establishment of the mining marshals in the agenda to sanitize the mining environment and ensure that Nigeria maximizes the benefits from its mineral resources.
The trial of the suspects commenced before Justice J.K Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the prosecution filing a 3-count charge, including mining without lawful authority and obstruction of lawful mining operations.
The defendants, namely Shen Yongchan, Mo Baixian, Xiao Bin, Huang Xu Fa, Ma Bingli, Yang Jian, Li Peiyin, Que Wenyong, Hiyk Edward Desmond, and Wanda Company Limited, were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre after the hearing and will remain there until the next court date.
Alake reiterated the ministry’s commitment to enhancing the operations of the mining marshals through the infusion of technology and additional equipment to ensure that the nation maximizes the benefits from its mineral resources.