Two Chinese men, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, along with their company, Ebuy Concept Limited, have been arraigned before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the charges against the Chinese nationals and their company on Monday.

They were arraigned on one count bordering on the possession of solid minerals without a license and non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.

The charge states:

“That you, Ebuy Trading Worldwide Nig. LTD, Duan Ya Hong, Xiao Yi sometime in the Month of February 2024 at Banni, in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, without lawful authority, purchased minerals to wit; 30 tons of minerals conveyed in a Truck, with Registration Number JJJ 386 XT and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 1(Cool(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1984”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was read in English and interpreted to them in the Chinese Language.

The EFCC’s counsel, Innocent Mbachie, requested the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the hearing and determination of the case. He also urged the court to fix a trial date.

The defendants’ counsel, A. A Aromolaran, prayed the court to grant bail to his clients, stating that their international passports were already in the custody of the Commission and assuring that they would not interfere with investigations or intimidate witnesses.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Anyadike granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5 million naira with two sureties each in like sum. The sureties must be landowners within the court’s jurisdiction and must deposit the deeds of title of the properties with the court’s registry. They also need to provide evidence of payment of electricity bills for the past ten months and evidence of tax payments for the past three years.

The defendants were remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the perfection of their bail conditions, and the trial was adjourned till May 16, 2024, for commencement.