Four Chinese nationals found guilty of illegal mining in Plateau State are set to be deported from Nigeria, following a landmark ruling by the Federal High Court in Jos. The court not only ordered their removal from the country but also mandated the forfeiture of over ₦134 million and other mineral resources to the federal government.
The convicted individuals — Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong — were apprehended in early March by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Acting on solid intelligence, officials raided the JLM Mining Company site in Jos, where the suspects were caught engaging in unauthorized extraction and purchase of mineral resources.
Presiding over the case, Justice Agishi sentenced each defendant to five years imprisonment, with an option of a ₦1 million fine. However, the most consequential part of the judgment came in the form of their immediate deportation and a lifetime ban from re-entering Nigeria.
The court also directed that the sum of ₦134.87 million, recovered from Liang Quin Yong — proceeds believed to be from their illicit mining operations — be permanently seized and remitted to the federal government. Additionally, all mineral resources and materials recovered during the EFCC investigation are to be forfeited. An administrative fine of ₦16.3 million was also levied against the group for failing to report financial transactions as required by the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
A Bigger Problem Beneath the Surface
This case has drawn renewed attention to the ongoing problem of illegal mining in Plateau State — an issue that has long plagued the region. Known for its vast mineral wealth, Plateau has historically been a hub for tin and columbite mining. The state is also rich in other resources, including gold, zircon, uranium, and iron ore.
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But while its mineral deposits offer vast economic potential, they’ve also become a magnet for unregulated and unlawful activities. Many of these operations, often run without licenses, disregard environmental regulations and local communities, leaving behind ecological damage and social unrest.
In a bid to address the rising tide of illegal mining, Governor Caleb Mutfwang earlier this year signed Executive Order 001, which temporarily suspends all mining activity in the state. The directive is part of a broader state-level crackdown aimed at restoring order and ensuring that mining contributes meaningfully — and legally — to Plateau’s development.
A Warning to Foreign and Local Actors Alike
The conviction and deportation of the four Chinese nationals sends a strong message to other illegal operators, both foreign and domestic. Nigeria’s mineral resources are not up for grabs, and regulatory bodies like the EFCC, alongside state authorities, appear increasingly determined to enforce the rules.
As the federal government continues to tighten its grip on illicit mining and money laundering, cases like this one underscore a growing national resolve: to reclaim control of Nigeria’s natural wealth and ensure it benefits the country — not outsiders operating in the shadows.
