A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) permission to dismantle a suspected clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State, allegedly used to produce illicit drugs valued at about ₦480 billion.

Justice Musa Kakaki ruled that the laboratory located in Iloti Village, Abidagba Forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area, should be dismantled, while ordering the destruction of some of the hazardous chemicals recovered from the site. However, the court excluded certain disputed chemicals from the destruction order following objections raised by the defence.

The decision followed an inspection of the remote forest laboratory by the court and parties involved in the case, two days before the ruling.

During proceedings, NDLEA prosecutor Buhari Abdullahi argued that the application was necessary to protect public health and ensure the safety of agency personnel who had been guarding the hazardous site for over two months. He said the toxic environment required anyone entering the facility to wear specialised protective equipment and revealed that he suffered an allergic reaction while handling the case.

Abdullahi maintained that dismantling the laboratory and destroying the dangerous substances was consistent with the NDLEA’s statutory responsibility to eliminate illicit drugs and hazardous chemicals.

Counsel to the defendants, Benson Ndakara, opposed the application, arguing that destroying the substances before they were tendered as exhibits could undermine the defendants’ right to conduct independent forensic examinations and challenge the prosecution’s evidence.

He told the court that some chemicals listed in the NDLEA report, including toluene and acetone, were not shown during the inspection, while methamphetamine itself was allegedly not presented at the site.

Responding, the prosecution insisted the disputed chemicals remained within the laboratory area and could be produced if directed by the court.

In his ruling, Justice Kakaki granted the NDLEA permission to dismantle the laboratory but restrained the agency from destroying the contested chemicals pending further determination.

The matter was adjourned until October 26, 27 and 28 for continuation of trial and a ruling on the status of the disputed substances.

The case involves three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians accused of operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and possessing precursor chemicals allegedly valued at ₦480 billion.

The defendants, who pleaded not guilty when arraigned on July 10, face an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful production and possession of methamphetamine, operating a drug trafficking organisation and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals.