Court orders detention of KC Luxury, two others over alleged shipment of cocaine worth ₦39 billion

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the arrest of luxury goods trader and lifestyle influencer Afolabi Kazeem Michael, known as KC Luxury, along with two other defendants, on charges involving the attempted export of 184.5 kilograms of cocaine worth about ₦39 billion.

Michael was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency along with Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch on a 22-count indictment.

The charges include conspiracy, cocaine trafficking, unlawful export of narcotics and money laundering.

The three defendants pleaded not guilty after the indictment was read to them.

The case number FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026 relates to an alleged attempt to send cocaine to the UK between 28 July and 1 August 2026.

According to the NDLEA, the defendants allegedly worked with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who were later arrested in London.

The agency alleged that the 184.5kg consignment was hidden in five separate packages sent via a courier logistics company in Lagos.

The shipment was allegedly made in the name of Yemi Ejide and carried Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902.

In the first charge, the prosecutor alleged that the defendants “conspired with the duo Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf (both of whom have been arrested in London, England in connection with this case) to export 184.5 Kilograms of Cocaine… and you committed acts which constitute an offense and are punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Nigerian Federation, 2004.”

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Prosecutors further accused Sule of employing Ekugo to facilitate the delivery, while Michael allegedly asked employees of BOT Express Logistics, Lagos Island, to process the delivery.

Michael was also accused of possessing cocaine in preparation for its export.

NDLEA alleged that ₦13.2 million was transferred from Mallawa Ventures’ Zenith Bank account to BOT Express Logistics as payment for the shipment.

Sixteen additional charges against Michael relate to alleged money laundering.

According to the agency, he allegedly transferred billions of naira through a number of corporate and personal accounts linked to Mallawa Ventures, Fateey Man Multi-Purpose Nigeria Limited, Patonifa Limited, Ade-Lak Resources, Holmestas Global Services Limited and La Capital Enterprises.

Prosecutors further alleged that some of the funds were used to purchase vehicles and property as part of an alleged effort to disguise the proceeds of the illicit activities.

Michael was also charged with not declaring his assets as required by law.

Following the defendants’ plea, NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim opposed their bail application.

He urged the court to detain the defendants pending trial, citing the seriousness of the charges against them.

The court then ordered that Michael, Sule and Ekugo be returned to NDLEA custody.

The case was postponed to October 4, 2026, when the court is expected to decide on the defendants’ bail applications.

Michael, also known as KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr Luxury and Yemi Ejide, was arrested by NDLEA agents on August 13, 2026.

The agency said he was arrested while allegedly preparing to travel to Paris on a business class flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

His arrest followed the interception of a shipment of cocaine weighing 184.5 kg which was allegedly destined for London.

NDLEA agents then searched the man and his residence in Banana Island, Lagos, where the agency said exotic vehicles, foreign currency and jewelery were found.

The agency said the items were suspected to be the proceeds of illicit drug trafficking.

The cocaine-related charges against the defendants are offenses punishable under Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act.