Officers of the NSCDC Mining Marshals have brought 15 Chinese citizens and nine Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged unauthorised lithium extraction in Nasarawa State.

The Mining Marshals Commander, Attah Onoja, stated that the group was picked up on May 16, 2026, in Kokona LGA while carrying out mining activities without approval or permit. The matter, with charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/281/2026, was heard by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia at Court 6.

Prosecutors told the court the defendants worked inside a concession held under Exploration Licence No. 036528-EL belonging to TIMADIX Geomin Consult Ltd. The site is located around longitude 8° 4’ 12”E and latitude 8° 34’ 12”N. They are accused of breaching Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, LFN 2004, an offence that attracts up to life imprisonment on conviction.

Named in the charge are Chinese nationals Liu Jiabin, Hu Yunzhong, Zhou Yinmou, Zhao Feng, Zhang Yu, Tian Shuqun, Huang Ruqian, Liu Yanliang, Yang Xiaobin, Huang Meiyun, Yuan Tao, Jia Qiuyong, Chen Menghao, Deng Peiming, Yu Yanhai. The Nigerian defendants include Thankgod Sani, Abubakar Nuhu, Jonathan Akpa Sunday, Pius Favour, Agada Joshua, Sani Osu, Haruna Asambe, Elenekou Akoete Joli, and company C and A International New Energy Ltd.

Their counsel, Prof. M.T. Adekilekun, SAN, asked for bail and promised the court the accused would return for trial. The judge approved the application and freed them to their lawyer pending further hearing.

NSCDC said the case shows its resolve to clamp down on illegal mining and secure Nigeria’s mineral resources.