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, warning that some of them could flee the country if released.
Justice Akintayo Aluko, after hearing arguments from counsel to the defendants and the prosecution, adjourned until September 2, 2026, to rule on the bail applications.
The defendants are 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 prosecution over their alleged involvement in the production and trafficking of methamphetamine at a clandestine laboratory reportedly located in Iloti Village, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The NDLEA had filed an 11-count charge in suit No. FHC/CR/430/2026 before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The charges include alleged production and possession of 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, as well as the unlawful acquisition, transportation and possession of precursor chemicals allegedly intended for the manufacture of the illicit drug.
Defendants seek release
Arguing the bail application, counsel to the defendants, Chief Benson Ndakara, told the court that the application was brought before the vacation court because of the defendants’ continued detention and the need to protect their constitutional right to liberty.
He said the prosecution had been served with the application and had responded to it.
In their affidavit, the defendants argued that their continued detention was unjustified and maintained that they were presumed innocent until proven guilty.
They contended that the alleged offences were bailable and expressed their willingness to provide credible sureties and comply with any conditions the court might impose.
The defendants also cited the health conditions of some of the applicants, arguing that they required medical attention that would be better provided outside the correctional facility.
NDLEA cites flight risk
Opposing the application, NDLEA counsel, Buhari Abdullahi, urged the court to refuse bail, arguing that the defendants had failed to establish any exceptional circumstance warranting the intervention of the vacation court.
Abdullahi said the substantive criminal case was already pending before Justice Musa Kakaki, where the defendants had been arraigned, pleaded to the charges and had been granted an accelerated trial.
He added that the prosecution had already called its first witness.
According to the NDLEA, the defendants constitute a flight risk, particularly because three of them are Mexican nationals.
The prosecution further alleged that the first defendant, Anochili Innocent, whom it described as the alleged financier and organiser of the operation, holds dual Nigerian and Mexican citizenship.
Abdullahi argued that the international composition of the group increased the possibility of some defendants leaving Nigeria to evade trial.
Agency disputes medical grounds
The prosecution also rejected the health concerns raised by the defendants, arguing that they had failed to demonstrate that their alleged medical conditions were beyond the capacity of medical facilities available at the correctional centre.
The NDLEA therefore urged the court not to rely on the medical claims as a basis for granting bail.
The agency also disputed the defendants’ claim that the property where the laboratory was allegedly discovered was intended for legitimate businesses such as poultry farming, piggery and wine production.
According to the prosecution, investigations established that the facility was owned, financed and sponsored by Anochili and was specifically equipped for the production of methamphetamine.
The agency said investigators recovered various equipment, apparatus, chemicals and materials allegedly linked to the manufacture of controlled substances.
Among the substances reportedly recovered was Phenyl-2-Propanone (P2P), which the prosecution described as a key precursor in methamphetamine production.
Alleged international drug network
The NDLEA alleged that the 10 defendants formed part of an organised network involved in the illicit production and trafficking of methamphetamine and the procurement and transportation of precursor chemicals.
The agency described the presence of three Mexican nationals among the defendants as an indication of the alleged international character of the operation.
The prosecution further alleged that chemicals including toluene, P2P, phenylacetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid were transported from Lagos to the forest laboratory in Ogun State.
The chemicals were allegedly moved in a Toyota Tacoma, a Mercedes-Benz with registration number APP 942 YL and a Toyota Highlander with registration number GWA 662 DJ.
The NDLEA also alleged that the defendants unlawfully possessed 358 kilogrammes of toluene, 1,834 kilogrammes of hydrochloric acid and 22.5 kilogrammes of acetone, in addition to unspecified quantities of P2P and phenylacetic acid.
The first defendant was further accused of owning and operating the fenced property in Mowe Forest where the laboratory was allegedly located and of knowing that the facility was being used for the illegal production of methamphetamine.
The defendants are charged under various provisions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
They have denied the allegations and remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Justice Aluko subsequently adjourned until September 2, 2026, for ruling on the bail applications.
