Nigeria, May 11 -- The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced a man to two years' imprisonment for unlawful possession of Lithium-bearing ore.

Lithium is a key solid mineral on demand internationally for manufacturing of batteries.

The trial judge, Abimbola Awogboro, sentenced the truck driver, Kasimu Bawa, a 50-year-old, after finding him guilty on one count of unlawful possession of minerals.

According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the convict was caught with 25 tons of Lithium valued at N2.4 million.

Mr Bawa was said to have driven the truck used to convey minerals "allegedly purchased without a licence by a Chinese national, Gang Deng," the EFCC said.

The court had earlier in Octob...