The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed July 24 to rule on an application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seeking permission to destroy a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in a remote forest in Ogun State.

Justice Musa Kakaki fixed the date after a special court sitting held on Wednesday at the lab facility in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.

On July 10, 2026, the NDLEA arraigned three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians on an 11-count charge bordering on the alleged establishment and operation of the clandestine laboratory.

According to the NDLEA, its operatives discovered the laboratory with equipment and chemicals allegedly used to produce 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of more than ₦480 billion.

The defendants are accused of manufacturing and possessing large quantities of methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance classified alongside hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin and LSD.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendants managed and financed a drug trafficking network, transporting precursor chemicals from Lagos to the remote laboratory.

The chemicals, according to the NDLEA, included toluene, phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), phenylacetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid.

The agency told the court that the substances were conveyed in vehicles, including a Toyota Tacoma, a Mercedes-Benz with registration number APP 942 YL, and a Toyota Highlander marked GWA 662 DJ.

The defendants were also accused of unlawfully possessing 358 kilograms of toluene, 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid and 22.5 kilograms of acetone, allegedly intended for the production of methamphetamine.

All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution called its first witness, a clandestine laboratory expert, Mr. Ajilema Anebi.

Anebi told the court that the substances recovered from the laboratory, where the second to eighth defendants were arrested, were used in the production and storage of large quantities of methamphetamine allegedly intended for export.

The witness said the substances were identified through scientific analysis conducted by him and his team.

He also explained the role of alcohol and hydrochloric acid in the methamphetamine production process, including the production of benzene.

The witness tendered exhibits relating to equipment and chemicals recovered from the facility.

The inventory of chemicals and equipment recovered from the laboratory had earlier been admitted in evidence by the court.

During the proceedings, NDLEA prosecuting counsel, Adekunle Adebanjo, drew the court’s attention to the agency’s pending application seeking leave to destroy the multi-million-dollar facility.

However, defence counsel, led by Benson Ndakara, opposed aspects of the prosecution’s evidence and raised objections to some of the exhibits tendered before the court.

After listening to submissions from both sides, Justice Musa Kakaki adjourned the matter until July 24 for a ruling on the NDLEA’s application to destroy the clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.

The ruling is expected to determine the immediate fate of the facility, which the NDLEA described as a major hub for the production of methamphetamine allegedly destined for markets outside Nigeria. (Channels TV)

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