On March 7, 2025, the Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, convicted two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, along with their company, Crius Chemical Nigeria Limited, for engaging in illegal mining activities. Presiding over the case, Justice Abimbola Awogboro sentenced each individual to two years imprisonment or an option to pay a fine of ₦1 million. The company was also fined ₦1 million.

In addition to the fines, the court mandated that the convicts remit ₦14 million in royalties to the federal government. Furthermore, all solid minerals discovered at their company's premises, located at No. 1 Idi Ope Road, along Ogunmakin-Odeda Road, Omi, Ogun State, were ordered to be forfeited to the federal government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the case, charging the defendants with engaging in mining activities without lawful authority, contrary to Section 134(b) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007. Both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.

This conviction underscores Nigeria's commitment to regulating its mining sector and addressing illegal mining activities that pose threats to the nation's economy and environment.