Court to Decide on Destruction of ₦480bn Meth Lab

The Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled a ruling for July 24 on an application from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seeking permission to destroy a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory found in a remote forest in Ogun State. Justice Musa Kakaki set this date following a special court session on Wednesday at the facility located in Mowe village, Ijebu East Local Government Area.

The NDLEA had previously charged three Mexicans and seven Nigerians on July 10 with 11 counts related to the establishment and operation of the lab. The agency reported that the lab was capable of producing 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, valued at over ₦480 billion.

The defendants face accusations of manufacturing and possessing large quantities of methamphetamine and managing a drug trafficking network. During the proceedings, expert witness Ajilema Anebi testified about the substances used in meth production.

The NDLEA's prosecuting counsel, Adekunle Adebanjo, highlighted the agency's application to destroy the facility, while defense counsel Benson Ndakara raised objections to some evidence presented.