By Adadareporters
About eight Chinese nationals arrested by the Mining Marshals, an elite security outfit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over alleged illegal mining activities in Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, have been remanded at Kuje Prisons.
Also arraigned and remanded over the same matter, alongside the Chinese, is a Nigerian.
The Mining Marshals, codenamed: “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” is the brainchild of the minister of solid minerals development, Dr Dele Alake.
Their trial, it was gathered, began on on July 11, before Justice J.K Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The prosecution had filed a three-count charge bordering on mining without lawful authority, obstruction of lawful mining operations, amongst others.
The defendants include SHEN YONGCHAN, MO BAIXIAN, XIAO BIN, HUANG XU FA, MA BINGLI, YANG JIAN, LI PEIYIN, QUE WENYONG, HIYK EDWARD DESMOND, and WANDA COMPANY LIMITED.
After the pleas and arguments from both sides, the defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until the adjourned date for the continuation of the trial.
The Mining Marshals, led by ACC John Onoja, comprise a 2,570-strong force dedicated to eliminating the nefarious activities of criminal syndicates in mining areas across the country.
