The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has secured the conviction of two Chinese nationals, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, for their involvement in illegal mining in Kwara State.
The EFCC disclosed on Thursday, May 16, that the convicts were first arraigned on April 22 alongside their company, Ebuy Concept Limited, on one count bordering on illegal mining before a Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
Following the arraignment of Hong and Yi, they pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N5m and two sureties each.
The statement stated further that following a second hearing on Tuesday, Hong and Yi, however, reversed their plea and admitted to being guilty of illegal mining.
Following their guilty plea and lack of objection from their defence counsel, the judge, Justice Anyadike, at the continued hearing on Wednesday, May 15, found the defendants guilty and sentenced them to one-year imprisonment each with an option of N2m and N1.5m fine respectively.
