The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi Lagos, weekend, sentenced two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei, to five years imprisonment for conspiracy and illegal mining of solid minerals.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Akintayo Aluko on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful possession of mineral resources intended for export without lawful authority.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Zhang Hong Lin, Gao Pei Hai, and Gao Pei Yu (currently at large), sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired among yourselves, with the intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of revenue accruing therefrom, and without the permission of the appropriate authority, engaged in the exportation of mica products, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing mineral resources out of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(8)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act.”
The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.
Following their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa called the investigating officer, Matthew Orogwu, who reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documentary evidence before the court. After presenting the evidence, Kofarnaisa urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in accordance with the charges.
Justice Aluko found both defendants guilty on all five counts and sentenced each of them to five years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N50 million fine covering all five counts.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the recovered mineral resources to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Niger remodels general hospital, procures 2,000 beds, N2.5bn equipment
By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Niger state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana, has explained that the comprehensive remodeling and upgrade of the General Hospital Minna to 500 bed capacity would enhance affordable healthcare services to the citizens of the state.
The commissioner also said that the state government has procured and distributed 2,000 high quality hospital beds to designated general hospitals across the state, together with more than 40 wheelchairs and malaria commodities valued at approximately N2.5 billion
The commissioner stated this weekend during the commissioning of newly remodeled facilities at the general hospital in Minna.
He stated that the hospital was having 222 bed-capacity at the inception of the Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago,s administration, adding that the governor has upgraded it to 368 bed capacity while the capacity will increase to 500 beds in the next phase of infrastructural development.
He said: “This reconstruction marks the initial visible phase of a comprehensive remodeling programme that will transform Minna General Hospital into a modern 500‑bed referral centre. The hospital currently operates with a 368‑bed capacity, 14 wards, 11 clinical and administrative departments and a workforce of more than 700 healthcare professionals.”
The commissioner described the newly remodeled Minna General Hospital facilities as a historic milestone in the New Niger Agenda and a bold investment in accessible, patient‑centred healthcare.
Atiku commiserates with Bungudu emirate over bandit attacks
By Ahmid Lawal
Abuja
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (Wazirin Adamawa) has commiserated with the people of Bungudu emirate and other communities in Zamfara state over recent attacks by bandits.
The former vice president was represented by the ADC senatorial candidate for Zamfara Central, Alhaji Atiku Sale Ruwandoruwa, Baraden Maru.
Speaking during the visit, Alhaji Ruwandoruwa conveyed the heartfelt condolences of Atiku Abubakar and the entire ADC family to the people of the state. He prayed for lasting peace, the safe return of those in captivity and comfort for bereaved families.
The first major engagement was a condolence visit to the palace of the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Atto, following the recent attack on Bungudu town. The incident led to the abduction of the chairman of Bungudu local government area, Hon. Nura Umar Abdullahi, who remains in captivity, and the killing of security personnel in the line of duty.
During the visit, Alhaji Ruwandoruwa, prayed for the repose of the souls of the fallen security operatives and for Allah to grant the speedy and safe release of the abducted council chairman.
The senatorial candidate also visited the Emir of Maru and undertook a family visit to his hometown, Ruwan Doruwa in Maru local government area, where he paid a courtesy call on his aged mother and other family members. The visit, he said, was to seek their prayers and blessings ahead of the 2027 elections.