Court clears NDLEA to dismantle alleged N480bn meth lab

The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) permission to dismantle an alleged methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State and destroy some chemicals recovered from the facility.

Justice Musa Kakaki, however, excluded some disputed chemicals from the destruction order following objections by the defendants.

The laboratory is located at Iloti Village in Abidagba forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. The ruling came two days after the judge and parties in the case visited the facility.

NDLEA had asked the court for permission to dismantle the laboratory and destroy hazardous chemicals and illicit substances allegedly recovered from the site and valued at about N480 billion.

NDLEA prosecutor Buhari Abdullahi said the application was necessary to protect public health, ensure safety and safeguard agency officials who had been stationed at the facility for more than two months.

He said the environment was so hazardous that visitors had to wear face masks and specialised protective equipment. Abdullahi also told the court that he suffered an allergic reaction during the inspection.

Defence counsel Benson Ndakara opposed the application, arguing that destroying the substances before they were tendered and admitted as evidence would deny the defendants an opportunity to conduct independent forensic examinations.

Ndakara said the defence had yet to cross-examine the prosecution’s principal witness on the substances. He also said the parties were shown only an empty container of hydrochloric acid during the inspection, while Toluene, Acetone and Methamphetamine listed in the NDLEA report were not presented.

The defence expressed concern that destroying the substances could make it impossible to challenge any materials subsequently presented by the prosecution.

Abdullahi responded that the disputed chemicals were at the laboratory but that some had been used or mixed, while other containers were located in parts of the forest that could not be reached during the inspection. He said the NDLEA was prepared to produce the chemicals if ordered by the court.

Justice Kakaki subsequently approved the dismantling of the laboratory but restrained the agency from destroying the contentious chemicals.

The case was adjourned until October 26, 27 and 28 for a ruling on the disputed substances and continuation of the trial.

The defendants are Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, Jesus López Valles, Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Nwobum Emeka and Anochili Innocent.

They are facing 11 counts of conspiracy, unlawful production and possession of methamphetamine, operating a drug-trafficking organisation and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals.

All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned on July 11 and were remanded in custody pending trial.