The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed July 24 to rule on an application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seeking approval to destroy a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in a forest in Ogun State.
Justice Musa Kakaki scheduled the ruling after conducting a special court session on Wednesday at the laboratory site located in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area.
The facility is at the centre of an ongoing trial involving three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians, who were arraigned by the NDLEA on July 10, 2026, over allegations of operating an illegal methamphetamine production centre.
According to the anti-drug agency, the laboratory contained equipment and chemicals allegedly used to manufacture 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value exceeding ₦480 billion.
The defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on the alleged production, possession and operation of a drug manufacturing facility, as well as financing a drug trafficking network.
The NDLEA alleged that the syndicate transported precursor chemicals from Lagos to the remote forest laboratory using vehicles, including a Toyota Tacoma, a Mercedes-Benz with registration number APP 942 YL, and a Toyota Highlander marked GWA 662 DJ.
The agency further accused the defendants of possessing 358 kilograms of toluene, 1,834 kilograms of hydrochloric acid and 22.5 kilograms of acetone, chemicals allegedly intended for the production of methamphetamine.
All ten defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution presented its first witness, Mr. Ajilema Anebi, a clandestine laboratory expert.
Anebi told the court that scientific analysis carried out by him and his team confirmed that the chemicals and substances recovered from the facility, where the second to eighth defendants were arrested, were used in the production and storage of large quantities of methamphetamine allegedly meant for export.
He also explained the role of alcohol and hydrochloric acid in the methamphetamine manufacturing process, including the production of benzene.
The prosecution tendered several exhibits, including equipment and chemicals recovered from the laboratory, while the inventory of the recovered items had already been admitted as evidence by the court.
During the hearing, NDLEA counsel, Adekunle Adebanjo, urged the court to grant the agency permission to destroy the facility.
However, defence counsel, Benson Ndakara, challenged parts of the prosecution’s evidence and objected to some of the exhibits presented before the court.
After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Kakaki adjourned the case until July 24 for a ruling on the NDLEA’s application.
The decision will determine whether the agency can immediately demolish the laboratory, which it described as a major methamphetamine production hub allegedly supplying illicit drug markets outside Nigeria.
