Court Remands Two Mexicans and Four Nigerians Over Alleged Oyo Meth Laboratory
A Federal High Court in Ibadan has ordered the remand of two Mexican nationals and four Nigerians charged over an alleged clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency identified the defendants as Jose Villa Ochoa, Carrera Loaiza Arturo, Maxwell Uche Nevoh, Olatunji Yusuf, Bankole Akeem Owolabi and Ganiu Monsiu.
They were arraigned before Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha on a four-count charge alleging conspiracy to operate a drug-trafficking organisation, establishment of a laboratory for producing methamphetamine, and unlawful movement of chemicals intended for manufacturing the substance.
All six pleaded not guilty. The court ordered their remand at the Ibadan Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to 26, 27, 28 and 29 January 2027 for trial.
The NDLEA said Ochoa and the four Nigerian defendants were arrested in June 2026 in a forested part of Tapa village. Arturo was arrested in August while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria through Lagos airport.
Editorial note: These are allegations before the court. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Sources: NDLEA statement; Punch Newspapers.
Featured image: NDLEA. Used for editorial reporting.
