The Federal High Court in Lagos has denied the bail applications of Kazeem Afolabi, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two others, Boniface Sule and Ikechukwu Patriarch, who are facing trial on cocaine trafficking and money laundering charges. Judge Musa Kakaki rejected the bail applications, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences, the punishment they attract, and the possibility that the defendants could abscond if released.
The case against the defendants relates to the seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine at a DHL facility within the premises of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) in Ikeja, Lagos, on August 3. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) put the value of the cocaine at about N39 billion and described the seizure as its largest interception of cocaine through a courier company in Nigeria. The cocaine was concealed in five consignments bound for London.
The NDLEA alleged that the defendants worked with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf to export the cocaine. The two suspects were arrested in London in connection with the investigation. The agency also alleged that Mr Afolabi used a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the consignments and paid N13.2 million from a Mallamawa Ventures account with Zenith Bank.
The NDLEA said the consignment was part of an international drug-trafficking network allegedly moving cocaine from South America through Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia. The agency's chairman, Buba Marwa, described Mr Afolabi as the alleged Nigerian "arrowhead" of the network. Mr Afolabi was arrested on August 13 at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while preparing to travel to Paris.
The NDLEA also accused Mr Afolabi of moving billions of naira through several company and personal accounts. The accounts included those belonging to Mallamawa Ventures, Fateey Man Multi-Purpose Nigeria Limited, Patonifa Limited, Ade-Lak Resources, Holmestas Global Services Limited, and La Capital Enterprises. The agency alleged that some of the funds were used to acquire vehicles and landed properties in an attempt to conceal proceeds of the alleged drug trade.
Mr Afolabi had spent more than a month in NDLEA custody before his arraignment. He had challenged the order authorizing the agency to keep him in custody for 30 days while it continued its investigation. The court dismissed his application, holding that the provisions relied upon by the defence did not apply to the circumstances of the case. Mr Afolabi has separately filed a fundamental-rights suit challenging his continued detention.
The three defendants will remain in custody following Friday's ruling and will return to court for further proceedings. The judge adjourned the case from November 2 to 5, with proceedings scheduled to be held daily during the period. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the prosecution will continue to present its case against them.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Lagos denied bail to KC Luxury and two others over cocaine trafficking and money laundering charges.
- The case relates to the seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine worth N39 billion at a DHL facility in Lagos.
- The defendants are part of an alleged international drug-trafficking network moving cocaine from South America through Nigeria to Europe and Asia.
