The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two alleged accomplices over the attempted export of 184.5kg of cocaine to the United Kingdom. The three defendants, Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, were arraigned on Friday, September 25, 2026, before the Federal High Court in Lagos on a 22-count charge bordering on cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics and money laundering.
According to the charge sheet, marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, the defendants allegedly conspired between July 28 and August 1, 2026, to export the cocaine concealed in five consignments through a Lagos-based courier logistics firm to London. The five consignments were allegedly shipped under the name Yemi Ejide and carried Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902.
The first count alleged that Afolabi, Boniface and Ikechukwu conspired with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who have been arrested in London in connection with the case, to export the narcotic. The NDLEA alleged that some of the funds were used to acquire motor vehicles and landed properties in an attempt to conceal their alleged illicit origin. Afolabi is also accused of failing to declare his assets to the agency as required by law.
Afolabi, who is also known as KayCee Lux, KC, Mr. Luxury and Yemi Ejide, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on August 13, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. According to the agency, he was arrested while attempting to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris, following the interception of the 184.5kg cocaine consignment. The NDLEA estimated the value of the seized cocaine at about ₦39 billion.
A subsequent search of Afolabi and his Banana Island apartment allegedly led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currency and jewellery believed by the agency to be proceeds of the illicit trade. Sixteen of the 22 counts relate to alleged money laundering and are brought under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The charges accuse Afolabi of allegedly moving several billions of naira through various companies and personal accounts in transactions linked to the alleged illicit trade.
The entities named in the charge include Mallamawa Ventures, Fateey Man Multi-Purpose Nig. Ltd, Patonifa Ltd, Ade-Lak Resources, Holmestas Global Services Limited and La Capital Enterprises. Afolabi is also accused of unlawfully possessing the cocaine before its intended export and facilitating a ₦13.2 million payment from a Mallamawa Ventures Zenith Bank account to BOT Express Logistics as consideration for the shipment.
Following the defendants’ not-guilty pleas, NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim opposed their bail application and urged the court to remand them in custody pending trial, citing the gravity of the alleged offences. The court subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the NDLEA facility. The matter was adjourned until October 4, 2026, for ruling on the bail application.
Key points
- The NDLEA estimated the value of the seized cocaine at about ₦39 billion.
- The defendants were arraigned on a 22-count charge bordering on cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics and money laundering.
- Afolabi was arrested while attempting to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris.
