Court Embarks on Locus in Quo in NDLEA’s ₦480bn Methamphetamine Trial, Adjourns for Arguments on Admissibility of Exhibits
Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Wednesday led parties on a locus in quo to an alleged clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Mowe, Ogun State, in the ongoing trial of alleged drug baron Innocent Orji, three Mexican nationals and six others.
The 10 defendants are being prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, over allegations bordering on the operation of a drug manufacturing facility estimated at ₦480 billion.
The court, accompanied by counsel for the prosecution and defence, the defendants, and NDLEA officials, inspected the premises alleged to have been used for illicit methamphetamine production.
Prosecution’s first witness, Ajilema Anebi, identified chemicals, processing equipment, and installations said to have been recovered from the facility and allegedly used in manufacturing methamphetamine. The witness also identified other materials the prosecution intends to rely on at trial.
The inspection was disrupted when the prosecution sought to tender some of the recovered substances as exhibits at the scene. Defence counsel objected.
Ruling, Justice Kakaki directed that arguments on the admissibility of the exhibits be taken in open court.
Briefing journalists, defence counsel, Benson Ndaraka, explained that the purpose of the visit was to enable the court examine the alleged scene of crime and materials recovered there.
He further submitted that the evidence presented showed the process of production but not the alleged product itself:
“What we have been shown here today is largely the process of producing methamphetamine. We did not see methamphetamine itself… The defendants are charged with being in possession of methamphetamine, but what has been shown to us is the production process, not the product itself.”
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, described the seizure as a major breakthrough. He alleged that international drug cartels are relocating clandestine laboratories to remote areas in the South-West to evade detection, and warned of the public health and security implications for Nigeria and the sub-region.
Justice Kakaki adjourned the matter to July 24, 2025, for arguments on the admissibility of the disputed exhibits and continuation of trial.
