Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have dismantled four unauthorized lithium processing facilities in Ogere, Ogun State, apprehending 14 Chinese citizens and one Nigerian for unlawful solid mineral operations.
The arrests followed extended intelligence monitoring and tactical surveillance conducted by the anti-graft agency to track illicit refining sites operating without official permits, environmental compliance clearances, or federal mining licenses.
Anti-corruption officials raided the locations in Ogere, discovering extensive processing machinery and large quantities of raw and refined lithium substances stored across the industrial premises. The suspects were caught actively managing the processing setups, which extract lithium—a critical mineral used globally for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage—for covert distribution and unauthorized export.
Statement released by the commission revealed that preliminary background checks established that neither the facility operators nor the foreign nationals possessed valid documentation from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development authorizing mineral refining or commercial processing activities in the zone.
”The crackdown underscores our commitment to curbing economic sabotage in the solid minerals sector,” the anti-graft agency stated, emphasizing that illegal processing activities deprive the government of crucial revenue while inflicting severe environmental degradation on host communities.
The EFCC confirmed that thorough interrogations remain ongoing, assuring that all fifteen suspects will be formally charged to court upon the completion of detailed investigative proceedings.
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