By Saminu Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned luxury goods dealer and lifestyle influencer, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, alongside two alleged accomplices, over the alleged trafficking and attempted export of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at about N39 billion.
Afolabi was arraigned on Friday before the Federal High Court in Lagos alongside Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch on a 22-count charge bordering on cocaine trafficking, unlawful export of narcotics and money laundering.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
According to the NDLEA, the trio allegedly conspired between July 28 and August 1, 2026, to export the cocaine concealed in five consignments through a Lagos-based courier logistics company to London, United Kingdom.
The charges, filed as FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, also named Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who have reportedly been arrested in London in connection with the case.
The NDLEA alleged that the consignments were shipped under the name Yemi Ejide and bore Airway Bill numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902.
The anti-narcotics agency further alleged that Boniface procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the export, while Afolabi allegedly secured the assistance of a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the consignments.
Afolabi was also accused of unlawfully possessing the cocaine before its intended export.
The charge sheet further alleged that N13.2 million was transferred from a Mallamawa Ventures Zenith Bank account to BOT Express Logistics as payment for the shipment.
Sixteen additional counts accused Afolabi of money laundering involving several billions of naira allegedly channelled through 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.
The NDLEA alleged that the funds were used, among other purposes, to acquire motor vehicles and landed properties in an attempt to conceal the alleged proceeds of the illicit trade.
He was also accused of failing to declare his assets to the agency as required by law.
Following the defendants’ not-guilty pleas, NDLEA prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, opposed their bail applications and urged the court to remand them in a correctional facility pending trial, citing the gravity of the alleged offences.
The court subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in the NDLEA facility and adjourned the matter until October 4, 2026, for ruling on the bail application.
Afolabi, also known as KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr Luxury and Yemi Ejide, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on the night of August 13, 2026, while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
His arrest followed the interception of the 184.5kg cocaine consignment, which the NDLEA estimated to be worth about N39 billion.
A subsequent search of Afolabi and his Banana Island residence, according to the agency, led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currencies and jewellery allegedly suspected to be proceeds of the illicit trade.
The first count accused Afolabi, Boniface and Ikechukwu of conspiring with Atandare and Latifat to export 184.5kg of cocaine in five consignments to the United Kingdom, contrary to Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
