NDLEA 184.5kg cocaine bust: Court remands KC Luxury, two others

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…Slams 22-count charge

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By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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LAGOS — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday arraigned Lagos-based luxury goods dealer Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KayCee Luxury, and two others before the Federal High Court, Lagos, over the alleged export of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine to the United Kingdom.

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Afolabi was arraigned alongside Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch before Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji on a 22-count charge bordering on alleged cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics and money laundering.

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Prosecution counsel, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the defendants allegedly conspired between July 28 and August 1, 2026, with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who have reportedly been arrested in London in connection with the case, to export the illicit drug concealed in five consignments through a Lagos-based courier logistics firm.

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According to the prosecution, the consignments, bearing Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902, were shipped under the name “Yemi Ejide” before being intercepted by NDLEA operatives.

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The charge, marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, alleged that Afolabi procured a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the consignments and paid N13.2 million from a Mallamawa Ventures Zenith Bank account to the logistics firm for the shipment.

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The prosecution further alleged that Boniface procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the export, while Afolabi was accused of unlawfully possessing the 184.5kg of cocaine intended for export.

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The NDLEA also filed 16 counts of alleged money laundering against Afolabi under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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The agency alleged that he channelled several billions of naira through a network of 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.

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According to the prosecution, the funds were allegedly used to acquire motor vehicles and landed properties in an attempt to conceal proceeds allegedly linked to illicit activities. He was also accused of failing to declare his assets.

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The three defendants pleaded not guilty to all 22 counts.

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The prosecution opposed their bail applications and urged the court to remand them in custody pending trial, citing the gravity of the alleged offences.

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Justice Faji consequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in NDLEA custody and adjourned the matter until October 4, 2026, for ruling on their bail applications.

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The NDLEA had earlier said Afolabi, who allegedly presented himself online as a luxury goods dealer and lifestyle influencer under names including KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr. Luxury and Yemi Ejide, was arrested on August 13, 2026, while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

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The agency said his arrest followed the interception of the cocaine consignment, which it valued at about N39 billion.

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According to the NDLEA, a search of his person and apartment in Banana Island, Lagos, led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currencies and jewellery, which the agency said were suspected proceeds of illicit trade.

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