Court remands influencer KC Luxury, two others over cocaine trafficking

n n

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday remanded luxury goods dealer and lifestyle influencer, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury and two others over the alleged trafficking and attempted export of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at about N39bn.

n

Michael was arraigned alongside Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on a 22-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics and money laundering.

n

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts when they were read to them.

n

The case, marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, relates to the alleged attempt to export the cocaine to the United Kingdom between July 28 and August 1, 2026.

n

The NDLEA alleged that the defendants conspired with two other suspects, Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who have been arrested in London, to export the 184.5kg of cocaine.

n

According to the charge, the cocaine was concealed in five consignments sent through a courier logistics company in Lagos under the shipper’s name, Yemi Ejide.

n

The consignments reportedly bore Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902.

n

In the first count, the prosecution alleged that the defendants “conspired with the duo of Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf (both of whom have been arrested in London, the United Kingdom in respect of this case) to export 184.5 Kilograms of Cocaine… and you thereby committed an act which is an offence against and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

n

The prosecution further alleged that Sule procured Ekugo to facilitate the export, while Michael allegedly procured a staff member of BOT Express Logistics, Lagos Island, to process the consignments.

n

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

n

The charge alleged that N13.2m was paid from a Zenith Bank account belonging to Mallamawa Ventures to BOT Express Logistics as consideration for shipping the consignments.

n

Sixteen other counts against Michael bordered on alleged money laundering.

n

The NDLEA alleged that he moved several billions of naira through various companies and personal accounts, including Mallamawa Ventures, Fateey Man Multi-Purpose Nigeria Limited, Patonifa Limited, Ade-Lak Resources, Holmestas Global Services Limited and La Capital Enterprises.

n

The agency further alleged that the funds were used to acquire motor vehicles and landed properties in an attempt to conceal proceeds of the alleged illicit trade.

n

Michael was also accused of failing to declare his assets as required by law.

n

Following the defendants’ pleas, NDLEA prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, opposed their bail applications and urged the court to remand them pending trial, citing the gravity of the alleged offences.

n

The court subsequently ordered that the three defendants be remanded in the custody of the NDLEA and adjourned the case until October 4, 2026, for ruling on their bail applications.

n

Michael, who also goes by KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr Luxury and Yemi Ejide, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on August 13, 2026, while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.https://punchng.com/ndlea-busts-cocaine-cartel-arrests-social-media-influencer-kc-luxury-in-lagos/

n

His arrest followed the interception of the 184.5kg cocaine consignment allegedly destined for London.

n

A subsequent search of his person and his Banana Island apartment reportedly led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currencies and jewellery, which the agency said were suspected proceeds of illicit drug trafficking.

n

The alleged offences in the cocaine trafficking counts are punishable under Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act.

n n