Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of properties recovered from alleged illegal miners in Ogun State to the Federal Government.
The assets include a mining site behind the Baale’s Palace on Ileposo Street, Ode-Remo, a Toyota 4Runner SUV, two trucks, and a 40-foot container filled with mica and lithium stones.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said the order followed its application for custody and disposal of the seized items under Section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The motion was filed by the agency’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 in Ikoyi through counsel Bilkisu Buhari. The court also approved disposal of the assets and payment of the proceeds into an interest-bearing account.
EFCC Sting In Ode-Remo
According to the commission, its operatives acted on intelligence and carried out a sting operation in the early hours of Friday, May 9, 2025.
Two Chinese nationals alleged to be kingpins and six Nigerians were arrested at the mining site during the raid.
The EFCC said the syndicate mined and moved mica and lithium from different parts of Nigeria to Ode-Remo, where the minerals were sorted and prepared for export through Apapa Wharf and Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The commission also said the seized property was at risk of damage because of the rainy season and was already losing value.
The principal suspects have already been arraigned on charges tied to unauthorised dealings in mineral resources.
After reviewing the affidavit and submissions, Justice Osiagor granted the application for final forfeiture.
He also ordered that the proceeds from the sale or disposal be paid into an interest-bearing account until the criminal trial is concluded.
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