By Emmanuel Daniji

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, in his ruling on Wednesday, held that the defendants had failed to present sufficient materials to justify the grant of bail, while noting that there were concerns that some of them could abscond and evade trial.

The defendants are 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.

They are facing an 11-count charge filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) bordering on alleged conspiracy, production and trafficking of methamphetamine, as well as the acquisition and transportation of precursor chemicals allegedly used in its manufacture.

The NDLEA alleged that the defendants established a clandestine laboratory in a forest at Iloti Village, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where about 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, allegedly worth more than N480 billion internationally, was produced.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Aluko said bail could be refused where there were reasonable grounds to believe that an accused person might abscond, commit another offence, interfere with investigations or proceedings, destroy evidence or otherwise undermine the administration of justice.

He stressed that the primary purpose of bail was to ensure that an accused person remained available to face trial.

The judge said NDLEA counsel, Buhari Abdullahi, had raised specific allegations in the prosecution’s counter-affidavit that were relevant to the bail applications.

According to him, some of the allegations were not effectively controverted by the defendants.

Justice Aluko also noted that some of the defendants admitted that chemicals had been recovered from their possession but maintained that the substances were intended for legitimate purposes and had no connection with methamphetamine production.

Relying on judicial authorities, the judge held that failure to effectively deny material facts contained in a counter-affidavit could amount to an admission.

He consequently ruled that the uncontroverted allegations provided sufficient grounds for refusing the bail applications.

The judge also rejected the defendants’ reliance on alleged medical conditions, noting that no medical reports had been attached to substantiate their claims of ill health.

He further held that there was no evidence that the correctional facility where the defendants were being held was incapable of providing adequate medical care.

“The application for bail is not well made out,” Justice Aluko held.

He also relied on Court of Appeal decisions cautioning against granting bail where there were reasonable grounds to believe that an accused person might abscond.

The judge cited the Supreme Court decision in Bamaiyi v. State, stressing the need to balance the interests of the prosecution, the accused persons and victims within the criminal justice system.

Justice Aluko, however, noted that an accelerated trial could serve as a safeguard where concerns existed about the defendants’ availability.

He observed that the substantive case had already been ordered for accelerated hearing and proceedings had commenced before Justice Musa Kakaki.

The prosecution had also called its first witness, he noted.

Justice Aluko subsequently dismissed the bail applications and ordered that the defendants remain in custody pending the continuation of their trial.

Earlier, counsel to the defendants, Chief Benson Ndakara, had urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the continued detention of his clients violated their fundamental rights.

Ndakara maintained that the offences were bailable and reminded the court that the defendants were presumed innocent until proven guilty.

He argued that Anochili was being unjustifiably detained because no hard drugs were allegedly recovered from him at the time of his arrest.

The defence counsel also denied the allegation that the defendants were establishing a methamphetamine laboratory, claiming instead that they were putting structures in place for poultry farming, piggery and alcoholic-wine production.

He assured the court that the defendants were prepared to provide reliable sureties and comply with any conditions imposed for their release.

The defence also cited the alleged deteriorating health of some of the defendants, arguing that they required special medical attention.

The NDLEA, however, opposed the applications, describing the defendants as flight risks.

Abdullahi argued that there was no exceptional circumstance warranting the defendants’ resort to the vacation court because the substantive case was already before Justice Kakaki.

He noted that the defendants had been arraigned, their pleas taken and an order made for accelerated hearing.

The prosecutor further pointed out that three of the defendants were Mexican nationals, while Anochili was described as Nigerian-Mexican, arguing that their release could make it possible for them to leave Nigeria and frustrate the trial.

Abdullahi also rejected the defence’s claim that the facility where the alleged laboratory was discovered was intended for legitimate businesses.

He alleged that NDLEA investigations showed that the facility was owned, financed and sponsored by Anochili for the illicit production of methamphetamine.

According to the prosecution, its operatives recovered equipment, apparatus, chemicals and other materials allegedly used in the production of controlled substances.

The agency specifically identified Phenyl-2-Propanone (P2P) as a major precursor used in methamphetamine production.

The NDLEA alleged that the defendants were part of an organised network involved in the production and trafficking of methamphetamine, as well as the acquisition and transportation of precursor chemicals.

The defendants have denied the allegations and remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.

They were arrested during coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos states between May 16 and 18, 2026.

The NDLEA said its operatives raided the alleged laboratory, located in a forest in Ijebu East, on May 16 and arrested four Nigerians alongside three Mexican nationals whom it described as experts in methamphetamine production.