NDLEA docks three Mexicans, seven Nigerians over processing, management and financing of drug trafficking organization
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
A cartel of drug trafficking organisation of ten men comprising three Mexicans and seven Nigerians were on Friday arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for unlawful establishment of a Super Clandestine laboratory for the purpose of preparing, processing and producing of 2,419.48 kilograms of Methamphetamine drug, a Psychotropic Substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD.
In the 11-counts charge preferred against the defendants by the. NDLEA, they were alleged to have also unlawfully engaged
in the management, organization and financing of Drug Trafficking Organization and other related activities for the purpose of processing and manufacturing of 2,419.48 kilograms of Methamphetamine drug a Psychotropic Substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD; without lawful authority possessed 2,419.48 kilograms of Methamphetamine drug a Psychotropic substance similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD, amongst others.
The defendants are Juan Carlos Torrero, Nemecio Martinez Felix, and Jesus Lopez Valles, who are Mexicans, and Anochili Innocent, Sunday Christian Nwankwo, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Emeka Christopher Nwobum, who are Nigerians.
When the matter was called for arraignment, Buhari S Abdullahi Esq. announced appearance for the prosecution while Chief Benson Ndakara announced appearance for all the defendants.
Buhari told the court that he has an 11-counts charge dated June 29, 2026 preferred against the defendants and applied that the charge be read out and explain to them to take their plea.
He told the court about a minor amendment seeking to remove the name Mowe village from the charge. It was however opposed by the defence counsel but the court overruled him.
The prosecution told the court about the presence of an interpreter to interpret the charge while being read to the Mexicans.
Chief Ndakara said that he had no objection.
The 11- counts charge was subsequently read by the court registrar and interpreted by the interpreter to the defendants. After listening to the charge, all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The offences allegedly committed by defendants are contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004; contrary to Section 20 (1) (g) and punishable under Section 20 (2) (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004; Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
After reading the charge, the prosecutor Buhari said to the court, “In view of the defendants plea of Not guilty, I humbly apply to commence trial immediately.I have seven witnesses in court and have also served the defendants and the defence counsel with the proof of evidence, including the statements by the defendants.
“Due to the dangerous and harmful nature of the chemicals/substances, we urge my lord for accelerated hearing so that we can quickly dispose the injurious chemicals in our laboratory. I have my seven witnesses in court and we are ready for the trial” Buhari informed the court.
Objecting to the submission by the prosecutor, Chief Ndakara told the court that he has not been served with the proof of evidence.
” We do not know what we are coming to meet. What is served to us BN is the motion seeking to destroy the chemicals in Ogun State which have to oppose vehemently.
” We do not have the list of the witnesses as well as the statement of the defendants
Ndakara asked the prosecution to show proof of service, saying that everything is now by e- filling and therefore should be in the court’s computer.
Upon the argument by counsel, Justice Kakaki said that there is proof of evidence before the court, including all the statements and list of witnesses.
“I confirm that they are all before the court”, the Judge said.
Chief Ndakara also objected to the immediate commencement of trial for the defendants, arguing that the court assumed jurisdiction after the arraignment and not before the arraignment. He said that as at July 2nd, the court had not assumed jurisdiction before the defendants were not properly before the court.
“The case starts today my lord” Ndakara said.
Buhari informed the court that he has a motion seeking to destroy the chemicals, adding that the motion has been served on the defence counsel. He told the court that can affidavit of urgency was attached and that is the reason why it is necessary for him to move the motion.
” The chemicals are harmful and injurious and has affected our staff who came in contact with it in the performance of their job”
Ndakara also objected to the moving of the motion, arguing that he has not responded to it and needed time to respond.
Ruling on the issues of commencement of trial and moving a motion seeking to destroy the chemicals, the trial judge held that court assumed jurisdiction after arraignment.
On the motion, the court held that the defence should be allowed to file their response.
Consequently, Justice Kakaki adjourned the matter till July 16 and 22 for hearing of pending application/ trial, ordering that the defendants be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Some of the counts read:
“That you Anochili Innocent Male, 63 years old, Nigerian, Juan Carlos Torrero, Male, 49 years old, Mexican, NemecioMartinez Felix, 46, Mexican, Jesus Lopez Valles, Male, 40 years old, Mexican, Sunday Christian Nwakwo, Male, 41 years old, Mexican, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Male, 38 years old, Mexican, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Male, 43 years old, Nigerian, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Male, 23 years old, Nigerian, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Male, 45 years old, Nigerian, Emeka Christopher Nwobum, Male, 59 years old, Nigerian, between February 2026 to 16th May, 2026, at various locations in Lagos, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired among yourselves to establish Super Clandestine laboratory for the purpose of preparing, processing and producing of 2,419.48 kilograms of Methamphetamine drug a Psychotropic Substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Anochili Innocent Male, 63 years old, Nigerian, Juan Carlos Torrero, Male, 49 years old, Mexican, Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46, Mexican, Jesus Lopez Valles, Male, 40 years old, Mexican, Sunday Christian Nwakwo, Male, 41 years old, Mexican, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Male, 38 years old, Mexican, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Male, 43 years old, Nigerian, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Male, 23 years old, Nigerian, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Male, 45 years old, Nigerian, Emeka Christopher Nwobum, Male, 59 years old, Nigerian, Male, 59 years old, Nigerian between February 2026 to 16” May, 2026, at various locations in Lagos, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court engaged in the management, organization and financing of Drug Trafficking Organization and other related activities for the purpose of processing and manufacturing of 2,419.48 kilograms of Methamphetamine drug a Psychotropic Substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to 20 (1) (g) and punishable under section 20 (2) (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Anochili Innocent Male, 63 years old, Nigerian, Juan Carlos Torrero, Male, 49 years old, Mexican, Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46, Mexican, Jesus Lopez Valles, Male, 40 years old, Mexican, Sunday Christian Nwakwo, Male, 41 years old, Mexican, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Male, 38 years old, Mexican, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Male, 43 years old, Nigerian, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Male, 23 years old, Nigerian, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Male, 45 years old, Nigerian, Emeka Christopher Nwobum, Male, 59 years old, Nigerian, Male, 59 years old, between February 2026 to 16th May, 2026, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority transported controlled substances to wit: Toluene, Phenyt-2-Propane (P2P), Phenyl Acetic Acid, Acetone, Hydrochloride Acid and other materials which were used for the processing and producing of 2,419.48 kilograms Methamphetamine drug a Psychotropic Substance similiar to cocaine, heroin and LSO from Lagos, Lagos State to Clandestine Laboratory in Mowe village, ljebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State using Toyota Tacoma, Mercedes Benz with Registration APP 942 YL and Toyota Highlander with Registration GWA 662 DJ and thereby committed an offence contrary to 20 (1) (f) and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Anochili Innocent Male, 63 years old, Nigerian, Juan Carlos Torrero, Male, 49 years old, Mexican, NemecioMartinez Felix, 46, Mexican, Jesus Lopez Valles, Male, 40 years old, Mexican, Sunday Christian Nwakwo, Male, 41 years old, Mexican, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Male, 38 years old, Mexican, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Male, 43 years old, Nigerian, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Male, 23 years old, Nigerian, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Male, 45 years old, Nigerian, Emeka Christian Nwobum, Male, 59 years old, Nigerian between February 2026 to 16th May, 2026, at various locations in Lagos, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired among yourselves to establish Super Clandestine laboratory for the purpose of preparing, processing and producing of 2,419.48 kilograms of Methamphetamine drug a Psychotropic Substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Anochili Innocent Male, 63 years old, Nigerian, Juan Carlos Torrero, Male, 49 years old, Mexican, NemecioMartinez Felix, 46, Mexican, Jesus Lopez Valles, Male, 40 years old, Mexican, Sunday Christian Nwakwo, Male, 41 years old, Mexican, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Male, 38 years old, Mexican, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Male, 43 years old, Nigerian, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Male, 23 years old, Nigerian, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Male, 45 years old, Nigerian, on or about the 16th May, 2026 at a Clandestine Laboratory in Mowe Forest, liebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority possessed 2,419.48 kilograms ofMethamphetamine drug a Psychotropic Substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Anochili Innocent Male, 63 years old, Nigerian, Juan Carlos Torrero, Male, 49 years old, Mexican, NemecioMartinez Felix, 46, Mexican, Jesus Lopez Valles, Male, 40 years old, Mexican, Sunday Christian Nwakwo, Male, 41 years old, Mexican, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Male, 38 years old, Mexican, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Male, 43 years old, Nigerian, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Male, 23 years old, Nigerian, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Male, 45 years old, Nigerian, on or about the 16th May, 2026, at Clandestine Laboratory in Mowe Forest, liebu East Local Government Ares of Ogun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority possessed 3&8 Kiograme of Toluene a Psychotropic Substance and precursor chemical for the Production of Methamphetamine and thereby committed an offence contrary to 20 (1) (a) and punishable under section 20 (2) (a)of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Anochili Innocent Male, 63 years old, Nigerian, Juan Carlos Torrero, Male, 49 years old, Mexican, NemecioMartinez Felix, 46, Mexican, Jesus Lopez Valles, Male, 40 years old, Mexican, Sunday Christian Nwakwo, Male, 41 years old, Mexican, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Male, 38 years old, Mexican, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Male, 43 years old, Nigerian, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Male, 23 years old, Nigerian, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Male, 45 years old, Nigerian, Emeka Christian Nwobum, Male, 59 years old
Nigenan, on or about the 16th May, 2026, at a clandestine Laboratory in Mowe Forest, ijobu East Local Government Area of Ogun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority possessed Phenyl 2-Propane (P2P), Psychotropic Substance and precursor chemical for the production of Methamphetamine and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 20 (1) (e) and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Anochili Innocent Male, 63 years old, Nigerian, Juan Carlos Torrero, Male, 49 years old, Mexican, NemecioMartinez Felix, 46, Mexican, Jesus Lopez Valles, Male, 40 years old, Mexican, Sunday Christian Nwakwo, Male, 41 years old, Mexican, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Male, 38 years old, Mexican, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Male, 43 years old, Nigerian, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Male, 23 years old, Nigerian, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Male, 45 years old, Nigerian, Emeka Christian Nwobum, Male, 59 years old
Nigerian on or about the 16th May, 2026, at a Clandestine Laboratory in Mowe Forest, ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority possessed Pheny! Acetic Acid a psychotropic substance and precursor chemical for the production of Methamphetamine and thereby committed an offence contrary to 20 (1) (e) and punishable under section 20 (2) (a)of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigena 2004.
“That you Anochili Innocent Male, 63 years old, Nigerian, Juan Carlos Torrero, Male, 49 years old, Mexican, NemecioMartinez Felix, 46, Mexican, Jesus Lopez Valles, Male, 40 years old, Mexican, Sunday Christian Nwakwo, Male, 41 years old, Mexican, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Male, 38 years old, Mexican, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Male, 43 years old, Nigerian, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Male, 23 years old, Nigerian, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Male, 45 years old, Nigerian, Emeka Christian Nwobum, Male, 59 years old
Nigerian on or about the 16th May, 2026 at Clandestine Laboratory in Mowe Forest, ljebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority possessed 1,834 Kilograms of Hydrochloride Acid a Psychotropic Substance and precursor chemical for the Production of Methamphetamine and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 20 (1) (e) and punishable under section 20 (2) (a)ot the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Anochili Innocent Male, 63 years old, Nigerian, Juan Carlos Torrero, Male, 49 years old, Mexican, NemecioMartinez Felix, 46, Mexican, Jesus Lopez Valles, Male, 40 years old, Mexican, Sunday Christian Nwakwo, Male, 41 years old, Mexican, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, Male, 38 years old, Mexican, Igwe Abuchi Remus, Male, 43 years old, Nigerian, Ifeanyichukwu Joshua Chibuike, Male, 23 years old, Nigerian, Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, Male, 45 years old, Nigerian, Emeka Christian Nwobum, Male, 59 years old
Nigerian on or about the 16 May, 2026, at a clandestine Laboratory in Mowe Forest, ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court without lawful authority possessed 22.6 Kilograms of Acetone a Psychotropic Substance a precursor chemical for the production of Methamphetamine and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 20 (1) (e) and punishable under section 20 (2) (a)of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004
“That you Anochili Innocent, Male, 63 years old, Nigerian on or about the 16th May, 2026, being the owner and person concened in the management of sole fenced land located in the forest at Mowe village, ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court unlawfuily caused the property to be used for the production of 2,419.48 kilograrme of Methamphetamine drug a Psychotropic Substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 12 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004”
