Three Mexicans, seven Nigerians denied bail over alleged N480bn methamphetamine lab in Ogun State
Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has denied bail to three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians accused of operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State. The judge cited the risk of the defendants absconding and evading trial, stating that insufficient material was presented to justify bail. The defendants, Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, Jesus Lopez Valles, Anochili Innocent, Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, and Emeka Christopher Nwobum, face an 11-count charge from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA. The charges include conspiracy, production, and trafficking of methamphetamine, as well as the acquisition and transportation of precursor chemicals. The NDLEA alleges that the defendants established a laboratory in Iloti Village, Ijebu East Local Government Area, where 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, valued at over N480bn internationally, were produced. Justice Aluko noted that the defendants did not effectively deny specific allegations raised by the prosecution and that claims of medical conditions lacked substantiation. The judge dismissed the bail applications, ordering the defendants to remain in custody pending the continuation of their trial, which has already commenced with an accelerated hearing order.
