The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned two Chinese siblings, Wang Jian and Wang Richard, alongside a Nigerian, Michael Berneth Agu, over allegations of illegal possession and exportation of mineral ore.
The suspects were brought before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, illegal exportation, and unlawful possession of mineral ore.
According to the charges filed by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, the defendants were accused of attempting to export mineral ore without authorization and of being in possession of 15 pieces of mineral ore without lawful authority.
One of the charges reads, “That you, Wang Jian, Richard Wang and Michael Berneth Agu, sometime in 2024 in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit: exporting of mineral ore without the permission of appropriate authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the hearing, EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Onjefu Obe, prayed the court to remand the defendants at the Enugu Correctional Facility and set a trial date.
However, defence counsel, Peter Eze, made an oral application for bail, citing the health condition of Wang Jian, who he claimed required intensive medical care.
Eze also informed the court that discussions for a plea bargain had commenced for the remaining defendants and urged the court to consider granting bail.
The prosecution acknowledged the sensitivity of the case, noting its implications at both federal and local levels.
However, it expressed willingness to consider a plea bargain to expedite proceedings.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Umar granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N10 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
The court mandated that the sureties must be prominent members of society residing in Enugu State. Additionally, the defendants were ordered to deposit their international passports with the court.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the suspects were remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility.
The case originated on November 3, 2024, following intelligence received by the EFCC from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.
Wang Jian was intercepted at the hold baggage screening point, where suspicious stones, believed to be solid minerals, were discovered in his luggage. Investigations revealed that Jian was attempting to smuggle the minerals to China for testing.
The trial has been adjourned to January 21, 2025.
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