The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to refuse bail applications filed by 10 defendants standing trial over an alleged industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in Ogun State.
The defendants, comprising three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians, are accused of involvement in the alleged production and possession of 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine as well as the transportation and possession of precursor chemicals allegedly used in manufacturing the drug.
They are Anochili Innocent, Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, Jesus Lopez Valles, Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike and Emeka Nwobum.
The defendants are facing an 11-count charge arising from the alleged operation of a clandestine laboratory at Iloti Village in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
NDLEA values the methamphetamine allegedly recovered from the operation at more than ₦480 billion on the international market.
At proceedings before Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos, counsel to the defendants, Benson Ndakara, urged the court to admit his clients to bail pending the determination of the criminal charges.
Ndakara argued that the defendants remained constitutionally presumed innocent until proven guilty and should not be subjected to indefinite detention merely because they had been charged with serious offences.
He told the court that the defendants were willing to provide credible sureties and comply with whatever conditions the court considered appropriate.
The defence also raised concerns over the health of some of the defendants, contending that their medical conditions required attention which they said could justify their release on bail.
However, NDLEA counsel, Buhari Abdullahi, opposed the applications and urged the court to keep the defendants in custody.
Abdullahi argued that the substantive criminal case was already before Justice Musa Kakaki, where the defendants had been arraigned and their pleas taken.
He told the court that Justice Kakaki had ordered an accelerated hearing and that the prosecution had already commenced presenting evidence.
The prosecutor maintained that the circumstances of the case presented a significant risk that some of the defendants could evade trial if granted bail.
Abdullahi argued that the international background of some of the defendants and the alleged transnational nature of the operation strengthened the prosecution’s concern that they could leave the jurisdiction if released.
Abdullahi argued that the international background of some of the defendants and the alleged transnational nature of the operation strengthened the prosecution’s concern that they could leave the jurisdiction if released.
NDLEA also challenged the medical grounds advanced in support of the bail applications.
The prosecutor contended that the defence had not shown that the health conditions allegedly suffered by some of the defendants were beyond the capacity of medical facilities available at the correctional centre.
He urged the court not to treat the health claims as sufficient exceptional circumstances for bail.
The prosecution further rejected the defendants’ position that the property where the laboratory was discovered was intended for legitimate commercial ventures, including poultry farming, piggery and wine production.
According to NDLEA, its investigation indicated that the facility was allegedly financed and equipped specifically for the production of methamphetamine.