Two Chinese nationals, Wang Jian and Wang Richard, have been remanded in the Enugu State Correctional Facility following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges related to illegal mining activities. The duo was arraigned alongside a Nigerian accomplice, Michael Berneth Agu, before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Independence Layout, Enugu, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
The EFCC brought a three-count charge against the defendants, accusing them of illegal exportation of mineral ore without proper authorization and unlawful possession of mineral resources.
One of the charges alleges that the defendants conspired to export mineral ore without obtaining clearance from relevant authorities. This act, according to the EFCC, contravenes Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same law.
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Another count charges them with illegal possession of 15 pieces of mineral ore, which violates Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
During the court session, all three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. In response, the EFCC’s counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Onjefu Obe, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the accused at the Enugu Correctional Facility pending the commencement of trial.
