EFCC arrests 15 people, including 14 Chinese and one Nigerian, for illegal lithium operations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 15 people. This group includes 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian. They were taken in for running illegal lithium-processing operations at four plants in Ogere, Ogun State.

The arrests happened on Friday, October 23. Operatives from the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 carried out the arrests after gathering information and monitoring the situation.

On Monday, Dele Oyewale, who is the head of media and publicity for the EFCC, released a statement. He said that operatives seized bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile phones, four laptops, two decoders, a remote control for a television, and a trailer truck during the operation.

“The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement said.

The EFCC has not shared the names of the suspects or the amount of lithium that was seized. They also did not explain how the plants were operating illegally.

These arrests come at a time when interest in lithium is growing. This mineral is used in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and many electronic devices. Nigeria has lithium deposits and aims to develop its solid minerals sector. This is part of efforts to diversify the economy away from crude oil.

But the details about the four facilities remain unclear. Questions include where they got their raw materials and if they had the necessary licenses and regulatory approvals.