The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to reject the bail applications filed by 10 defendants accused of operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State, arguing that they are flight risks who could evade trial if released.

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

They are facing an 11-count charge over the alleged production and trafficking of methamphetamine at a clandestine laboratory in Iloti Village, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants were involved in the production and possession of 2,419.48kg of methamphetamine, as well as the acquisition and transportation of precursor chemicals used in its manufacture.

At the bail hearing, defence counsel, Benson Ndakara, urged the court to release the defendants, arguing that their continued detention was unjustified. He said the defendants were presumed innocent until proven guilty and were prepared to provide credible sureties and comply with any conditions imposed by the court.

The defence also raised concerns about the health of some of the defendants, arguing that their medical conditions required special attention.

Opposing the application, NDLEA counsel, Buhari Abdullahi, urged the court to refuse bail, saying the substantive trial was already before Justice Musa Kakaki, where the defendants had been arraigned and their pleas taken.

He said an order had been made for an accelerated trial and that the prosecution had already called its first witness.

Abdullahi argued that the international composition of the defendants increased the risk of flight, noting that three of them are Mexican nationals. He added that Anochili, whom the prosecution described as the alleged financier and organiser of the operation, holds dual Nigerian and Mexican citizenship.

The prosecutor also rejected the defence’s health concerns, saying the defendants had not established that their conditions could not be managed by medical facilities at the correctional centre.

Abdullahi further disputed the defendants’ claim that the property where the laboratory was discovered was intended for legitimate businesses such as poultry farming, piggery and wine production. He told the court that NDLEA investigations showed that the facility had allegedly been established and equipped specifically for the illicit production of methamphetamine.

According to the prosecution, equipment, chemicals and materials allegedly linked to the production of controlled substances were recovered from the site, including Phenyl-2-Propanone (P2P), a precursor used in methamphetamine production.

The NDLEA also alleged that precursor chemicals, including toluene, P2P, phenylacetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid, were transported from Lagos to the forest laboratory in Ogun State.

The agency said it would rely on physical, documentary, forensic and laboratory evidence to prove its case.

The defendants have denied the allegations and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Justice Akintayo Aluko, after hearing arguments from both sides, adjourned the matter until September 2, 2026, to rule on the pending bail applications. The substantive trial before Justice Musa Kakaki is continuing on an accelerated basis, with the prosecution having already called its first witness. (The Guardian)

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