The defendants were brought before the court following their arrest by government-backed Mining Marshals in Kokona Local Government Area, where they were reportedly operating an unauthorized mining site. Authorities said the suspects were illegally extracting lithium from a location covered by a valid exploration licence belonging to another company.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons violated provisions of Nigeria’s mining laws by conducting mineral extraction without proper authorization. The charge, filed under the Miscellaneous Offences Act, carries severe penalties, including possible life imprisonment if the defendants are found guilty.
During the court proceedings, counsel to the defendants applied for bail, assuring the court that the accused would not evade trial. The presiding judge granted bail with conditions, including the surrender of their international passports and other identification documents.
The prosecution, however, raised concerns about the likelihood of the foreign nationals absconding, given the international dimension of the case. The court noted the concern but placed responsibility on the defence to ensure the defendants appear for all court sittings.
The case has been adjourned to allow for the commencement of trial, as authorities intensify efforts to clamp down on illegal mining across the country.
Officials say the crackdown is part of a broader strategy to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources, especially lithium, which has become increasingly valuable globally due to its use in batteries and clean energy technologies.