NDLEA Gets Court’s Nod To Destroy ₦480bn Ogun Meth Laboratory

Sone of the Defendants

Justice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court, Lagos has granted the prayer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seeking to destroy an alleged ₦480 billion methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in Abidagba forest, Mowe, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Justice Kakaki granted the application today despite opposition by three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians standing trial over establishment of the factory and production of the illegal substance .

However, the court order NDLEA to exclude some contentious chemicals which the defendants claimed they needed for their case during the trial.

The NDLEA, through its counsel, Buhari Abdullahi, while urging the court to grant it prayer to destroy the factory, held the application was on the grounds of public health and safety, arguing that the clandestine laboratory poses a serious environmental and health risk.

Abdullahi informed the court that agency officials had remained stationed at the site for more than two months, exposing them to hazardous chemicals.

He recalled that Justice Kakaki personally inspected the suspected drug laboratory on July 22 and noted that everyone who entered the premises had to wear face masks and specialised protective equipment because of the toxic environment.

According to the prosecutor, even defence counsel had to take safety precautions during the inspection, while he suffered an allergic reaction that forced him to leave the site.

“The purpose of this application is to safeguard public health and lives, as well as the lives of our officers who have been on duty at the location for over two months,” Abdullahi submitted.

He argued that the application was backed by Section 3(1)(i) of the NDLEA Act, which empowers the agency to take steps towards the destruction of dangerous drugs, chemicals and related substances.

However, counsel to the defendants, Benson Ndakara, opposed the application, describing it as premature and capable of prejudicing the defence.

Ndakara argued that the alleged methamphetamine and other substances sought to be destroyed constitute crucial evidence in the ongoing criminal trial.

He also claimed that part of the substances had already been destroyed by the NDLEA, adding that granting the application would deny the defendants the opportunity to conduct an independent forensic examination.

“The application is premature. Granting it at this stage will prejudice the defendants because the substances are potential evidence in this trial,” he told the court.

The defence lawyer informed the court that the defence had already called its principal witness on the issue and had yet to conclude cross-examination.

He maintained that the prosecution should only seek leave to destroy the substances after they had been formally tendered and admitted as exhibits, giving the defence adequate opportunity to examine and challenge them.

Ndakara further argued that destroying the exhibits before trial could make it impossible for the defence to verify any future evidence presented by the prosecution.

“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.

After listening to both parties, Justice Kakaki granted NDLEA’s application but restrained the agency from destroying some of the contentious chemicals mentioned by the defendants.

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).

They 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 and were remanded in custody pending the determination of the case.