Two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, have been sentenced to two years imprisonment each for illegal mining activities in Kwara State.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Ilorin delivered the ruling on March 7, 2025, convicting them alongside their company, Crius Chemical Nigeria Limited.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the defendants on a one-count charge of engaging in solid mineral mining without lawful authority.

The charge stated that their actions, committed in March 2024, violated Section 134(b) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.

READ ALSO: EFCC returns recovered over $132k, Bitcoin to foreign fraud victims

Upon being arraigned, both defendants pleaded guilty. EFCC counsel, Sesan Ola, presented evidence, including their extra-judicial statements, a Nigeria Geological Survey Agency report, and their passports.

The court accepted all exhibits. After reviewing the case, Justice Awogboro ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court sentenced Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan to two years imprisonment or an option of a N1 million fine each. Their company was also fined N1 million.

READ ALSO: EFCC faces cheating allegations from bidders after online car auction

Additionally, the court ordered the convicts to remit N14 million in royalties to the federal government.

Furthermore, all solid minerals found at the company’s premises, located at No. 1, Idi Ope Road, along Ogunmakin-Odede Road, Omi, Ogun State, were forfeited to the federal government.

This conviction highlights the Nigerian government’s crackdown on illegal mining operations, which have been a growing concern for authorities.

The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to enforcing mining laws and ensuring that those who engage in illegal activities face justice.

Nollywood filmmaker, Aniebiet Francis has reacted to the gruesome m8rder of a 38-year-old woman, Victoria Okoh by her husband in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.   LIB reported that the suspect, Victor Okoh, said to be a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) brutally m8rdered his wife over suspicions of infidelity.   The Akwa Ibom filmmaker wrote:  Dear woman, marry right!!!! Marry your tribe!!!! Any man that beats you will k*ll you someday.      The post Dear woman, any man that beats you will k!ll you someday – Filmmaker, Aniebiet Francis reacts after ‘pastor’ butchered his wife to d3ath in Akwa Ibom appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, on Monday, said that his administration would emerge stronger, despite the ensuing political circumstances in the state.

Fubara made the remark at the inauguration of a palace and residential quarters of the Paramount Ruler of Akpor Kingdom, Eze Levi Oriebe, built by his administration.

Fubara stated that it’s historic to have delivered a befitting palace for the Akpor Kingdom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, in Rivers, being the first in over 200 years of its existence.

He explained that the palace was built within six months after it was awarded for construction, instead of the 10-month agreement with the contractor.

Fubara stated that the project was borne out of the response to a request made by the Akpor community during the flag-off of reconstruction of the Okania-Ogbogoro Road project.

He said that his administration was focused on good governance and would not renege on the promise of delivering impactful, people-oriented, development projects.

According to the governor, our projects, our services will continue to be those ones that would touch the hearts, the souls, and the spirits of our people.

“And we will not, no matter the circumstances surrounding our situation, renege on that promise that we made to the good people of Rivers.

“Our concern for Rivers State is not our profit but its total well-being,” Fubara said.

He urged the people to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the overall interest of the state.

He also advised Rivers people not to be disheartened by recent turns of events in the state, but rather to cheer up.

Fubara urged the people to understand that ‘”God does not start a thing and end it halfway.’

He pointed out the ungodly motive of those who were pushing to disrupt governance by worsening the feisty political relationship.

He stated that his path would remain to ensuring peace and warned against any act of lawlessness.

Fubara encouraged them to continue to follow his footsteps, and that his footsteps remain the path of peace.

The Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Worlu-Wodo, while inaugurating the building, recalled that in past months, he benefitted from the administration of Gov. Fubara.

He said that a magnificent palace was built for the Apara Kingdom, adding that the present government understood that traditional rulers were closest to the people.

“Traditional rulers play vital roles in maintaining peace and orderliness in the communities, and by so doing, they simplify governance at the state level.

“My friend and colleague from Calabar once said that respect for traditional rulers and elders shows good upbringing; our governor has good upbringing,” he stated.

He commended Fubara for recognising the traditional rulers and giving them a befitting palace in the state.

He said that he was happy to witness the display of goodwill, respect and good intention for the traditional institution.

‘’Your Excellency, you have done well, and I must say, we are all proud of you,” he said.

Worlu-Wodo acknowledged the numerous developmental projects executed by Fubara’s administration across the state and urged him not to be worried by recent political developments in the state.

The Rivers Commissioner for Special Projects, Dr Rowland Obed-Whyte, said the construction was awarded in August 2024, and the work was completed in six months.

He added that the palace complex was on a land space of 9,000 square meters, with an electric perimeter fencing.

The palace is a duplex building with two wings; the right wing has a guest room for the king, a 120-person sitting capacity multipurpose hall, a 50-person sitting capacity conference hall, offices and public conveniences.

“The left wing has the royal ranch, bar, dining room, kitchen, and laundry; behind the palace is a royal garden, traditional meeting place (Obiri), royal car park, visitors’ lodge, water tank, and water fountain,” he described. (NAN)

The post Rivers govt will emerge stronger despite all odds, says Fubara appeared first on Vanguard News.