NDLEA says no bail for 10 arrested in Ogun meth lab case

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has rejected a bail request from 10 defendants arrested during a raid on a suspected methamphetamine lab in a forest in Ogun State.

The agency claims the defendants are part of an organized group involved in making and selling methamphetamine, as well as getting and moving the chemicals needed for production.

The defendants 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 prosecution said the lab is worth N480 billion and it was found in Iloti Village, Ogun State.

They face charges for producing and dealing methamphetamine and having the chemicals used to make it.

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

Ndakara explained that he had asked the vacation court to hear the bail request quickly due to the urgency of the situation, stressing that it affects the fundamental rights of the defendants, who are being held.

He said the prosecution had received the bail request and had replied to it.

In support of the bail request, the defendants claimed that the first defendant was being held without justification, arguing that no hard drugs were found on him.

They also pointed out that they are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court.

The defendants stated that they planned to set up a poultry farm, piggery, and alcoholic wine business at the site where the meth lab was found.

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

The applicants also mentioned health issues, saying some of them are unwell and need special medical care.

They asked the court to grant bail, assuring the court that they could provide reliable sureties.

But the NDLEA lawyer, Buhari Abdullahi, disagreed with the bail request, saying there was no urgency to take the case to the vacation court.

Abdullahi told Justice Aluko that the charge is already filed in the regular court, where Justice Musa Kakaki is presiding.

He noted that the defendants have been arraigned, entered their pleas, and the court has ordered a fast-tracked hearing.

He stated that the prosecution has already called its first witness to testify.

Abdullahi said the NDLEA has detailed its reasons for opposing the bail in its counter-affidavit.

He argued that the defendants are likely to flee and that granting bail would be like letting them go free.

Abdullahi informed the court that three of the defendants are from Mexico and that the first defendant is the alleged leader of the group and has Nigerian and Mexican citizenship.

Regarding the health issues raised, he argued that there is no proof that their health conditions cannot be treated at the correctional facility.

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

Abdullahi continued by stating that the charges stem from the actions of a group involved in making and selling methamphetamine and moving the necessary chemicals.

He said there are 10 defendants in total, including three foreigners and seven Nigerians, showing the international nature of the alleged crime.

The prosecutor also dismissed the defendants’ claims that the facility was meant for legal businesses like poultry, piggery, and wine production.

He said an investigation showed that the lab in Iloti Village was "owned, financed, and sponsored" by the first defendant and was set up for making methamphetamine.

Abdullahi noted that NDLEA agents found various equipment, chemicals, and materials linked to the production of controlled substances at the site.

He specifically mentioned Propyl-2-Propanone, a key chemical for making methamphetamine.

Abdullahi stated that the prosecution will use physical, documentary, forensic, and lab evidence during the trial.

He urged the court to reject the bail application.

After hearing from both sides, Justice Aluko postponed the decision on the bail request until September 2, 2026.