*Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency moves to destroy an illegal, hazardous methamphetamine production laboratory hidden in Iloti Village, in Abidagba forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, for public health, safety, and protection of the anti-narcotics agency’s officials still keeping vigil at the site for months
Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect
In continuation of its offensive against drug trafficking and substance abuse across Nigeria, the Federal High Court sitting, in Lagos, has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to destroy an illegal methamphetamine laboratory allegedly hidden in a forest in Ogun State, South-West region.
ConsumerConnect reports the hazardous, unprotected drug facility was used for the production of methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance similar to cocaine, heroine and LSD.
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The clandestine, illegal drug laboratory was located at Iloti Village, in Abidagba forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.
Suspects face 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful production and possession of methamphetamine
The case results from the arraignment of three Mexican nationals, and seven other suspects over the alleged operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory with drugs and precursor chemicals valued at ₦480 billion.
The defendants are Juan Carlos Meza Torrero (49), Nemecio Martinez Felix (46), Jesus López Valles (40), Nwankwo Sunday Christian (41), Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor (38), Igwe Abuchi Remijus (43), Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua (23), Omonughwa Kingsley Orike (45), Nwobum Emeka (59) and Anochili Innocent (63).
The NDLEA prosecutors described them as the alleged drug barons.
They are currently 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.
WherssaAt their arraignment July 10, 2026, all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were remanded in custody pending trial.
Ruling on the request of the NDLEA to destroy the meth-producing facility, Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court Lagos ordered the dismantling of the laboratory, and destruction of some of the dangerous chemicals recovered from three Mexicans and seven Nigerians at the laboratory.
Court’s exceptions for some contentious chemicals
In Justice Kakaki’s ruling, the court, however, excluded the destruction of some contentious chemicals, following the objections from the defendants.
It was gathered that the court ruling came few days after parties in the case visited the remote forest for on-the-spot assessment of the illegal facility and its environment, in Ogun State.
Justice Kakaki had listened to arguments for an application by the NDLEA seeking permission to dismantle the lab and to destroy hazardous chemicals and illicit substances allegedly recovered from the lab, valued at about ₦480 billion.
However, the defence opposed the application on the grounds that it could prejudice the ongoing trial.
Buhari Abdullahi, prosecutor and Deputy Commander at NDLEA, also told the court that the application was filed in the interest of public health, safety and the protection of agency officials who have been stationed at the site for over two months.
Buhari also reminded the court that the Judge and parties had personally inspected the clandestine drug lab whose environment was so hazardous that anyone entering the premises had to wear face masks and specialised protective equipment.
The prosecutor and Deputy Commander at NDLEA also recalled that he suffered an allergic reaction, while arguing that the application for the dismantling of the lab was consistent with the NDLEA’s statutory mandate to take steps towards the destruction of dangerous drugs, chemicals and related substances.
He requested the court to reject the argument of the defendants that they had not been given adequate opportunity to inspect the recovered substances, insisting there was no legal basis to refuse the application.
Benson Ndakara, counsel for the defendants, however, opposed the request, according to report.
Ndakara contended that once the substances were destroyed, the defendants would lose the opportunity to subject them to independent forensic examination.
The counsel described the NDLEA’s application as premature, especially because the substances are potential evidence in the trial.
He also noted that the prosecution had already called its star witness on the issue and the defendant had yet to cross-examine and test the veracity of his testimony.
The prosecution should only seek leave to destroy the substances after they have been formally tendered, and admitted in evidence, giving the defence sufficient opportunity to examine and challenge them, stated he.
Ndakara further argued that destroying the exhibits could make it impossible for the defence to verify any future evidence presented by the prosecution.
He further said: “The essence of the visit to the 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.”
The counsel said 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, Ndakara argued.
Most importantly, we were not shown Methamphetamine.
He stated: “The news has gone all over the world that a 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.”
Countering these arguments, the prosecution counsel Buhari said “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 stated.
Having listened to both parties, Justice Kakaki later granted NDLEA’s application to dismantle the laboratory, but restrained the regulatory agency from destroying some “contentious chemicals” mentioned by the defendants.
The Federal High Court Lagos has adjourned the matter to October 26, 27 and 28, 2026, to rule on the nature of the contentious substances and for continuation of trial.