Defence lawyer challenges court’s jurisdiction over arraignment of alleged Mexican-Nigerian drug cartel

By Lukman Olabiyi
The planned arraignment of three alleged Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians accused of operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State was stalled yesterday after the Federal High Court in Lagos adjourned the matter to July 10, 2026, following preliminary objections raised by the defence.
Justice Musa Kakaki fixed the new date after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence over the court’s jurisdiction, service of the charge and the need for an independent interpreter for the foreign defendants.
The judge also ordered that the 10 defendants remain in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) pending their a...