The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted the request of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to dismantle a clandestine laboratory allegedly used for the production of methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance similar to cocaine, heroine and LSD.
Justice Musa Kakaki ordered the dismantling of the laboratory and destruction of some of the chemicals recovered from three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians at the laboratory located at iloti Village, in Abidagba forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The court however excluded the destruction of some contentious chemicals following the objections from the defendants.
The ruling comes two days after parties in the case visited the remote Forest.
Before giving his ruling, Justice Kakaki listened to arguments for an application by the NDLEA seeking permission to dismantle the lab and to destroy hazardous chemicals and illicit substances allegedly recovered from the lab valued at about ₦480 billion., while the defence opposed the application on the grounds that it could prejudice the ongoing trial.
The prosecutor, a Deputy Commander with the NDLEA, Buhari Abdullahi, told the court that the application was filed in the interest of public health, safety and the protection of agency officials who have been stationed at the site for more than two months.
Buhari reminded the court that the judge and parties had personally inspected the clandestine drug lab whose environment was so hazardous that anyone entering the premises had to wear face masks and specialised protective equipment.
He recalled that he suffered an allergic reaction while arguing that the application for the dismantling of the lab was consistent with the NDLEA’s statutory mandate to take steps towards the destruction of dangerous drugs, chemicals and related substances.
He also asked court to reject the argument of the defendants that they had not been given adequate opportunity to inspect the recovered substances, insisting there was no legal basis to refuse the application.
