A Federal High Court sitting in Ogun State has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to dismantle a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory valued at about ₦480 billion, while restraining the agency from destroying some chemicals contested by the defence.
Justice Musa Kakaki gave the order on Friday in the trial of three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians accused of operating the laboratory at Iloti Village, in the Abidagba forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area.
The ruling followed a site inspection by the judge and both legal teams two days earlier, and arguments over an NDLEA application to destroy hazardous chemicals and illicit substances recovered from the site. The prosecution, led by Deputy Commander Buhari Abdullahi, said the request was necessary for public safety and to protect agency officials stationed at the hazardous site for over two months.
The defence, led by Benson Ndakara, opposed the application, arguing that destroying the substances before they are formally tendered in evidence would deny them the chance to conduct independent forensic tests. He disputed NDLEA’s claims about some chemicals found at the site and noted that the defence had not yet cross-examined the prosecution’s key witness on the matter.
Justice Kakaki granted the application to dismantle the laboratory but excluded the disputed chemicals from destruction, pending further clarification.
The court adjourned the matter to October 26–28 for a ruling on the contested substances and continuation of trial. The defendants face an 11-count charge including conspiracy, unlawful production and possession of methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals. All pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on July 11 and remain in custody.
