The Federal High Court in Lagos will on Friday, July 24, deliver its ruling on an application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seeking approval to destroy a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory allegedly worth more than ₦480 billion in Ogun State.
The date was fixed by Justice Musa Kakaki after a special court session held on Wednesday at the laboratory site in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area.
According to Punch Newspapers, the NDLEA is prosecuting three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians over an alleged drug manufacturing and trafficking operation. The defendants, arraigned on July 10, face an 11-count charge relating to the establishment and operation of the illegal methamphetamine laboratory. They have all pleaded not guilty.
The anti-drug agency said operatives recovered equipment and chemicals allegedly used to produce 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value exceeding ₦480 billion.
Prosecutors alleged the suspects manufactured and possessed large quantities of methamphetamine, a prohibited psychotropic substance, and managed a drug trafficking network that transported precursor chemicals from Lagos to the remote forest laboratory.
The recovered chemicals allegedly included toluene, phenyl-2-propanone, phenylacetic acid, acetone and hydrochloric acid. The NDLEA also accused the defendants of possessing 358 kilogrammes of toluene, 1,834 kilogrammes of hydrochloric acid and 22.5 kilogrammes of acetone for methamphetamine production.
The charges further allege that the substances were transported using several vehicles, including a Toyota Tacoma, a Mercedes-Benz with registration number APP 942 YL and a Toyota Highlander marked GWA 662 DJ.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution called clandestine laboratory expert Ajilema Anebi, who testified that scientific analysis confirmed the substances recovered from the facility were used in the production and storage of methamphetamine allegedly intended for export.
Anebi also explained the role of alcohol and hydrochloric acid in the drug manufacturing process and tendered exhibits relating to the equipment and chemicals recovered from the laboratory.
NDLEA prosecuting counsel, Adekunle Adebanjo, urged the court to grant the agency’s pending application to destroy the laboratory, arguing that the facility poses a significant risk.
However, defence counsel led by Benson Ndakara challenged parts of the prosecution’s evidence and objected to some of the exhibits admitted before the court.
Justice Kakaki adjourned the matter until Friday for a ruling on the NDLEA’s application, which will determine whether the agency can demolish what it describes as a major methamphetamine production facility allegedly linked to international drug trafficking.
The laboratory, hidden in Abidagba Forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, was uncovered during intelligence-led operations carried out by the NDLEA in May 2026.
