A Federal High Court in Lagos has allowed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to dismantle and destroy parts of an alleged N480bn methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in Abidagba Forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Justice Musa Kakaki gave the order on Friday after the agency argued that the site posed health, safety and environmental risks. The court, however, excluded some disputed chemicals after objections from three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians standing trial over the alleged laboratory.
The decision is a new step in the case earlier reported by NaijaTrend here, after the suspects were arraigned over the alleged drug-production facility.
NDLEA counsel Buhari Abdullahi told the court that officials had remained at the location for more than two months and that those who entered the premises needed masks and protective equipment because of the toxic environment. Vanguard and Channels Television both reported that the judge had also inspected the site before ruling on the request.
Defence counsel Benson Ndakara opposed the application, arguing that the materials were important to the trial and should not be destroyed prematurely. The court balanced that objection by directing the agency to preserve the chemicals specifically identified by the defence while allowing the laboratory and other hazardous materials to be removed.
Sources: Vanguard, Channels Television
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