Fifteen Chinese nationals and nine Nigerians have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged involvement in illegal lithium mining activities in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were brought before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia of Court 6, Federal High Court, Abuja, following their arrest on May 16, 2026, in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
According to court documents, the defendants were allegedly caught carrying out mining operations without lawful authority within an area covered by Exploration Licence No. 036528-EL, belonging to TIMADIX Geomin Consult Ltd.
The prosecution alleged that the accused persons engaged in unlawful mining activities in violation of Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment upon conviction.
At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, Prof. M. T. Adekilekun (SAN), applied for bail on behalf of the defendants, assuring the court that they would be available for trial.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia granted the bail application and ordered the defendants’ release into the custody of their counsel pending trial. The court directed the accused persons to deposit their international passports and national identity cards with the court registrar but imposed no monetary bond or surety requirements.
Speaking after the hearing, Lead Prosecution Counsel for the Mining Marshals, Ojo Toluwatope Alex, said the court exercised its discretion in granting bail and expressed hope that none of the defendants would abscond before the conclusion of the trial.
The case was adjourned until June 18, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah John Onoja, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling illegal mining across the country, stressing that sustained enforcement efforts are essential to protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and sanitising the mining sector.
