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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
A 63-year-old drug baron, Anochili Innocent, three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians, were arraigned Friday before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on an 11-count charge over the setting up of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) alleges the group produced 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine, valued at over N480 billion on the international market, at a super lab hidden in Mowe forest, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Arraigned alongside Anochili were Mexican nationals – Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49; Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; and Jesus López Valles, 40; along with Nigerians, Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 43; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, 45; and Nwobum Emeka, 59.
NDLEA operatives raided the Mowe forest laboratory on 16th May 16, 2026, arresting Nwankwo, Igwe, Ifeanyichukwu, Egwuonwu and the three Mexican nationals, described by the agency as meth experts.
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Anochili, identified as the syndicate’s mastermind, was arrested at his residence, No. 8, Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos.
In a follow-up operation two days later, on May 18, operatives arrested Omonughwa at another property owned by Anochili House 70, Close 3, Mayfair Estate, Lakowe before proceeding to arrest Nwobum at a separate property said to have served as the syndicate’s stash house.
The 11-count charge accuses the defendants of conspiring between February and May 16, 2026 to establish the clandestine lab, in violation of Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act.
All ten defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecution called seven witnesses to open the trial, having served the defence with proof of evidence since July 3, 2026, but the defence sought more time to review the evidence.
Justice Kakaki ordered the defendants remanded at the Correctional Centre, Lagos, and adjourned the matter to 16th and 22nd July for continuation of trial and hearing of a bail application.
