The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) permission to dismantle an alleged clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in Ogun State, while directing that some disputed chemicals be preserved pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.
Justice Musa Kakaki gave the ruling after considering an application by the anti-drug agency seeking approval to dismantle the facility and destroy hazardous chemicals and illicit substances allegedly recovered from the site at Iloti Village in Abidagba Forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The laboratory was allegedly operated by three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians, who are currently standing trial over offences linked to the production of methamphetamine and possession of precursor chemicals reportedly valued at about ₦480 billion.
The court, however, declined the agency’s request to destroy some of the chemicals challenged by the defence, following objections raised during the hearing.
The ruling came two days after Justice Kakaki, accompanied by lawyers representing both parties, inspected the remote forest where the alleged drug laboratory is located.
While arguing the application, NDLEA prosecutor and Deputy Commander, Buhari Abdullahi, told the court that dismantling the facility was necessary to safeguard public health and protect agency personnel who had remained at the site for over two months.
He reminded the court that everyone who visited the laboratory, including the judge and counsel, had to wear face masks and specialised protective equipment because of the hazardous environment.
Abdullahi also recalled suffering an allergic reaction during the inspection and maintained that the agency’s request was in line with its legal responsibility to destroy dangerous drugs, chemicals and related substances.
He further urged the court to dismiss the defence’s claim that the substances should be retained for further examination, insisting there was no legal basis to refuse the application.
Counsel to the defendants, Benson Ndakara, opposed the request, arguing that destroying the substances before they were formally admitted as exhibits would deny the defendants the opportunity to carry out independent forensic analysis.
He maintained that the prosecution’s application was premature since the trial was still ongoing and the defence had yet to fully challenge the prosecution’s evidence.
“The essence of the visit to locus in quo (the laboratory) was to see things ourselves and not to assume. For example, we saw one empty gallon of hydrochloric acid and that cannot be taken to be a chemical seen by the court and parties,” Ndakara said.
“Secondly, we were not shown Toluene which was contained in the NDLEA report. Acetone was also indicated in the report but not found at the site. Most importantly, we were not shown Methamphetamine.
“The news has gone all over the world that clandestine laboratory for production of Meth was found in Ogun state but if it’s not there, it should be expunged.
“We fear that if these substances are destroyed now, the prosecution could later produce another substance and claim it is methamphetamine, leaving the defence with no means of effectively challenging it,” he submitted.
Responding, Abdullahi insisted the disputed chemicals were available at the laboratory and explained that some had already been used during the alleged production process, while others were stored in areas that were difficult to access because of the terrain.
“The objection raised was on Toluene, Acetone and Hydrochloric acid, those chemicals are in the said laboratory.
“Some of them were in that lab and had been used or mixed, some of the jerrycans were in the bush and because of the nature of the place, the witness informed the court there at the inspection site, that the court cannot reach the place where they are located. Those chemicals are relevant and where the court wishes the prosecution to produce those three chemicals, we are ready to comply,” he added.
After hearing both parties, Justice Kakaki approved the NDLEA’s application to dismantle the alleged drug laboratory but ordered that the contentious chemicals identified by the defence should not be destroyed.
The case was adjourned to October 26, 27 and 28 for a ruling on the disputed substances and continuation of trial.
The defendants—three Mexican nationals, Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix and Jesus López Valles, alongside seven Nigerians, Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Nwobum Emeka and Anochili Innocent, who prosecutors described as the alleged drug baron—are facing an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful production and possession of methamphetamine, operating a drug trafficking organisation and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned on July 11 and have remained in custody pending the determination of the case.
