NDLEA fights bail for 10 arrested in Ogun meth lab case

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has rejected the bail request by 10 people arrested in a raid on an alleged methamphetamine lab in a forest in Ogun State.

The agency claims these individuals are part of an organized group involved in making and selling methamphetamine and transporting precursor chemicals.

The accused are Anochili Innocent, Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, Jesus Lopez Valles, Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remujus, Ifeanychukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, and Nwobum Emeka.

The lab is said to be worth N480 billion, according to the prosecution. It was found in Iloti Village, Ogun State.

They face charges related to the illegal production and sale of methamphetamine and possession of chemicals needed to produce it.

When the case came up before Justice Akintayo Aluko at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday, the defendants' lawyer, Benson Ndakara, asked the court to grant bail.

Ndakara argued that the matter was urgent. He said it involved the basic rights of the defendants, who are currently in custody.

He mentioned that the prosecution had received the bail request and had responded to it.

In support of the bail request, the defendants claimed that the first person arrested was being held without justification, stating that no hard drugs were found with him.

They insisted that they are innocent until proven guilty in court.

The defendants also said they planned to start a poultry farm, piggery, and alcoholic wine business at the location where the lab was found.

They argued that the charges against them are bailable and promised to provide trustworthy sureties if granted bail.

They also mentioned health problems, saying some of them needed special medical care.

They urged the court to grant their request, assuring that they would provide reliable sureties.

But the NDLEA's lawyer, Buhari Abdullahi, opposed the bail request. He argued that there was no pressing need for the defendants to seek bail in a vacation court.

Abdullahi told Justice Aluko that the charges had already been filed in the regular court led by Justice Musa Kakaki of the same Federal High Court in Lagos.

He stated that the defendants had been arraigned, entered their pleas, and the court had ordered an immediate hearing of the case.

He said the prosecution had already called their first witness, who had testified in court.

Abdullahi pointed out that the NDLEA explained its reasons for opposing bail in its counter-affidavit.

He argued that the defendants might try to escape and that granting them bail would be like letting them go free.

He noted that three of the defendants are Mexican citizens and that the first defendant is seen as the financier and leader of the group, holding both Nigerian and Mexican citizenship.

On the health issues raised by the defendants, Abdullahi said there was no proof that their health conditions were beyond what the medical facilities in the correctional center could handle.

He stated, "If at all that is true, it has not been established that it was of the nature that the medical facility at the correctional center could not take care of."

Abdullahi claimed that the charges are linked to an organized group involved in making and selling methamphetamine and transporting precursor chemicals.

He said the case includes 10 defendants, made up of three foreigners and seven Nigerians, highlighting the international nature of the alleged crime.

The prosecutor dismissed the defendants' claim that the site was meant for legitimate businesses like poultry and piggery.

He informed the court that the investigation showed that the lab in Iloti Village, Ogun State, was "owned, financed, and sponsored" by the first defendant and was set up for illegal methamphetamine production.

According to him, NDLEA operatives found various equipment, chemicals, and materials linked to making controlled substances at the location.

He specifically mentioned Propyl-2-Propanone, a key ingredient for producing methamphetamine.

Abdullahi said the prosecution would use physical, documentary, forensic, and laboratory evidence in the trial.

He urged the court to reject the bail application.

After hearing both sides, Justice Aluko postponed the ruling on the bail application until September 2, 2026.