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By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the trial of eight Chinese nationals and two other defendants facing allegations of illegal mining until April 21, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
The trial judge, James Omotosho, granted the adjournment following an oral application by defence counsel, Joe Agi, who informed the court that proceedings could not continue due to the absence of the first defence witness (DW-1). Agi explained that the witness was indisposed and unable to travel from Lagos to Abuja.
The prosecuting counsel, Adeola Adedipe, did not oppose the application, stating that the request was based on medical grounds.
“If it is on medical ground, we are not objecting, my lord,” he said.
Consequently, the court fixed April 21 for the continuation of the defence.
The defendants are being prosecuted by the Attorney-General of the Federation on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful mining operations.
The accused include Shen Yongchan, Mo Baixian, Xiao Bin, Huang Xu Fa, Ma Bingli, Yang Jian, Le Peiyin, and Que Wenyong as 1st to 8th defendants, alongside Hiyk Edward Desmond as the 9th defendant, and Wanda Quarry Company Limited as the 10th defendant.
Earlier in the proceedings, the court dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defence after the prosecution closed its case.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case through its witnesses, thereby requiring the defendants to open their defence.
Our correspondent recalls that at the last hearing on February 25, the defence had called its first witness, Mr. Silas Saviour Godwin of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, to testify.
The defendants are alleged to have, between October 19, 2022 and June 24, 2024, conspired with others now at large to carry out illegal mining activities within Quarry Lease No. 22284QLS belonging to Jinloys Nigeria Limited without lawful authority.
They were specifically accused of quarrying and conducting quarrying operations contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 1(8)(b) of the same Act.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
