The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned a luxury goods dealer and lifestyle influencer, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two other suspects before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged attempt to export 184.5 kilograms of cocaine to the United Kingdom. The defendants, Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, were arraigned alongside Afolabi before Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji on a 22-count charge relating to cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics and money laundering.
According to a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, 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 consignments were shipped under the name Yemi Ejide and carried specific Air Waybill Numbers. The NDLEA alleged that Boniface procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the export, while Afolabi allegedly procured a staff member of BOT Express Logistics to process the consignments.
Afolabi was also accused of unlawfully possessing the cocaine in preparation for its export. The charge sheet further alleged that Afolabi paid N13.2 million from a Mallamawa Ventures Zenith Bank account to BOT Express Logistics as consideration for the shipment. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read to them. The NDLEA prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, opposed the defendants' bail applications and urged the court to remand them in custody pending trial.
The charge sheet, marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, alleged in count one that the three defendants conspired with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who have been arrested in London in connection with the case, to export the 184.5 kg of cocaine. Sixteen other counts relate to alleged money laundering by Afolabi, who was accused of moving several billions of naira through various companies and personal accounts.
The NDLEA alleged that the funds were used, among other things, to acquire motor vehicles and landed properties in an attempt to conceal the alleged proceeds of the illicit trade. The companies and accounts listed 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.
NDLEA operatives arrested Afolabi, also known as KayCee Luxury, on the night of August 13, 2026, as he allegedly attempted to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. His arrest followed the interception of the 184.5 kg cocaine consignment, which the agency estimated to be worth about N39 billion.
Justice Faji subsequently ordered the defendants remanded in the NDLEA's facility and adjourned the matter until October 4, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application. During the proceedings, the NDLEA prosecutor cited the gravity of the alleged offences as the reason for opposing the bail applications.
Key points
- The NDLEA arrested Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two others for allegedly attempting to export 184.5kg of cocaine to the UK.
- The defendants were arraigned on a 22-count charge relating to cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics, and money laundering.
- The NDLEA estimated the seized cocaine to be worth about N39 billion.
