Author: Gist Correspondent

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to reject the bail applications of 10 defendants standing trial over an alleged ₦480 billion clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in Ogun State.

The defendants, comprising three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians, are facing an 11-count charge bordering on the alleged production and trafficking of methamphetamine at Iloti Village in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

At the hearing, NDLEA counsel, Buhari Abdullahi, argued that the defendants posed a significant flight risk and should remain in custody pending the conclusion of their trial.

He told the court that the substantive case was already before Justice Musa Kakaki, who had ordered an accelerated hearing after the defendants were arraigned and their pleas taken. According to him, the prosecution has already presented its first witness.

Abdullahi noted that the presence of three Mexican nationals among the defendants heightened the risk of absconding, adding that one of the accused, Anochili Innocent, allegedly holds both Nigerian and Mexican citizenship and is believed to be the financier and organiser of the operation.

The prosecutor also dismissed claims that some of the defendants required specialised medical treatment, maintaining that they had failed to show their health conditions could not be adequately managed within correctional facilities.

He further challenged the defence's claim that the property where the laboratory was discovered was intended for legitimate businesses, insisting that investigations revealed the facility was specifically established for the illegal production of methamphetamine.

According to the NDLEA, investigators recovered equipment, precursor chemicals and other materials allegedly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, including Phenyl-2-Propanone (P2P), while chemicals such as toluene, acetone, phenylacetic acid and hydrochloric acid were allegedly transported from Lagos to the forest laboratory in Ogun State.

The agency said it would rely on physical, documentary, forensic and laboratory evidence to prove the charges against the defendants.

Counsel to the defendants, Benson Ndakara, had urged the court to grant bail, arguing that his clients were presumed innocent and willing to meet any conditions imposed by the court. He also cited health concerns affecting some of the accused.

Justice Akintayo Aluko adjourned the matter until September 2, 2026, for a ruling on the bail applications, while the substantive trial continues before Justice Musa Kakaki.