Nigerian court remands 2 Mexicans, 4 others in prison over alleged drug trafficking
By Suleiman Shehu
Two Mexican nationals and four Nigerians were on Friday remanded at Agodi prison, Ibadan, Oyo State following their arraignment over alleged membership of a drug trafficking cartel and operation of an illegal drug laboratory by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
The two Mexicans are Jose Ochoa and Carrera Arturo while the Nigerians include Bankole Owolabi, Ganiyu Monsiu, Yusuf Akanbi and Maxwell Nevoh.
They were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, manufacturing, transportation and distribution and possession of chemicals substances before a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan.
NDLEA accused the defendants were accused of establishing an illegal laboratory factory for the production of methamphetamine, a psychotropics substance similar to cocaine, and LSD.
Justice Nkeone Maha ordered that the defendants be remanded at Agodi Correctional Centre after they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Maha further ordered the prosecuting counsel, Mr Adekunle Adebajo, to serve the proof of evidence on all defence counsel and adjourned the case until Nov. 26, 27, 28 and 29 for commencement of trial.
Earlier, NDLEA Counsel informed the court that the defendants being members of a drug trafficking organisation conspired to establish a laboratory factory within Lagos and Oyo States.
He said that the defendants without lawful authority allegedly engaged in the production of methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD.
The counsel further allegedly that the defendants at various locations in Lagos and Oyo States engaged in the transportation and distribution of materials for the purpose of manufacturing 1.260 kilogrames of methamphetamine.
He alleged that the defendants on June 17 at Tapa Village in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State without lawful authority engaged in the manufacturing of 1.260 kilogrames of methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD.
The counsel said that the offences were committed between December 2025 and June 2026 at different locations in Lagos and Oyo States.
Adebajo said that the offences were punishable under Section 14(b),20(2)(a) and 19 of NDLEA Act,Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The NDLEA Counsel urged the court to remand the defendants at Agodi Correctional Centre and requested for an adjournment.
Counsel to the first defendant, Mr Echeme Ekeghe, informed the court that his client, Ochoa, was a diabetic patient and told the court that a proper application would be filled with respect to the place of remand.
On his part, Mr Benson Ndakara, counsel to the second defendant (Arturo) and Mrs Oreofe Ogunleye, counsel to the third, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants informed the court that they had no objections to the prosecution’s request for remand.
(NAN)