The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned two Chinese nationals, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, alongside their company, Ebuy Concept Limited, before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Ilorin.
The defendants were docked for alleged illegal mining activities, specifically the possession of solid minerals without a license and non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.
The charge reads:
“That you, Ebuy Trading Worldwide Nigeria Limited, 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(8)(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 Chinese language.
The EFCC’s counsel, Innocent Mbachie, requested that the court remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until the hearing and determination of the case.
He also asked the court to set a trial date to enable the prosecution to prove its case.
The defendants’ counsel, A.A. Aromolaran, prayed the court to grant bail to his clients. He pointed out that the EFCC already had the defendants’ international passports and assured that they would be available for trial.
He also promised 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 N5million naira with two sureties each in like sum.
The judge ordered that the sureties must be landowners within the jurisdiction of the court and must deposit the deeds of title of the properties with the court’s registry.
The court also required the sureties to provide evidence of payment of electricity bills for the past 10 months and evidence of tax payments for the past three years.
Finally, the judge ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the EFCC until they fulfill their bail conditions.
The trial was adjourned until May 16, 2024.
