Juliet Oladele, Reporting
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 15 suspects, including 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian, over alleged illegal lithium processing activities at four plants in Ogere, Ogun State.
The suspects were detained on Friday, 23 October, by operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following credible intelligence and surveillance.
The EFCC disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Monday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
According to the commission, operatives recovered bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile devices, four laptops, two decoders, a television remote control and a trailer truck during the operation.
The agency did not disclose the identities of the suspects or provide details of the ownership and operations of the four processing plants. It also did not state the quantity of lithium recovered, the estimated value of the mineral or the specific offences allegedly committed by the suspects.
The commission said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Lithium is a critical mineral used in the manufacture of rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, mobile phones and renewable energy storage systems. Its growing importance in global energy and technology supply chains has increased interest in mineral exploration and processing.
Nigeria has been seeking to develop its solid minerals sector as part of efforts to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on crude oil revenues. However, illegal mining and unauthorised mineral processing pose challenges to the regulation of the sector, including efforts to ensure that mineral extraction and processing activities comply with relevant laws.
The EFCC did not indicate whether the arrests were linked to a wider investigation into illegal mining networks or whether additional suspects were being sought.
The commission said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be prosecuted after the process was concluded.
