The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria has successfully secured the conviction of two individuals from China, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, for partaking in unauthorized mining activities in Kwara State, situated in the North Central region of the country.
In a recent update disseminated via its official social media channels, the EFCC informed the public that the individuals, along with their corporate entity, Ebuy Concept Limited, were brought before a Federal High Court in Ilorin on April 22. They encountered allegations pertaining to their involvement in the illicit extraction of minerals.
Despite initially entering a not guilty plea to the charges and being released on bail set at N5 million with two sureties each, they later altered their statements.
At the following proceeding, both Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi accepted their guilt to the accusations leveled against them.
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In light of their guilty pleas, and with no opposition from their legal representation, Justice Anyadike rendered a verdict of guilt.
Consequently, both were handed down a prison term of one year, with the alternative of settling fines amounting to N2 million for one and N1.5 million for the other.
Moreover, as part of the judgment, the court mandated the forfeiture of both the mined substances and the transportation vehicle implicated in the operation.
