Court extends KC Luxury’s detention over cocaine case

Nkereuwem Effiong

The Federal High Court in Lagos has authorised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to keep social media influencer and businessman Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, in custody for another 30 days over an alleged cocaine trafficking case.

Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the extension on 20 August following an application by the NDLEA for additional time to investigate Kazeem’s alleged involvement in the seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine.

The order, contained in a certified true copy of the enrolled order, also directed that funds in Kazeem’s Providus Bank account and other accounts linked to his Bank Verification Number (BVN) be preserved pending the conclusion of the investigation and/or prosecution.

The court adjourned the matter until 17 September 2026 for the NDLEA to report on the progress of its investigation.

Kazeem was arrested on 13 August at the boarding gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while allegedly preparing to travel to Paris.

His arrest followed the NDLEA’s seizure on 3 August of 184.5kg of cocaine at a DHL facility within the premises of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) in Ikeja, Lagos.

The agency valued the consignment at about N39bn and described it as its largest cocaine interception through a courier company in Nigeria.

The NDLEA alleged that the shipment was part of an international trafficking network moving cocaine from South America through Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

The agency identified Kazeem as the alleged Nigerian coordinator of the network and said intelligence indicated that he was travelling on a business-class ticket when he was arrested.

According to the NDLEA, operatives recovered €7,750, £2,800 and N100,000 in cash, as well as jewellery, from him. A subsequent search of his luxury apartment in Banana Island allegedly led to the recovery of exotic vehicles and other assets.

The agency further alleged that Kazeem used his business interests in gold, jewellery and luxury goods to conceal his alleged role in the trafficking network.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), said the investigation had uncovered the alleged use of false identities, financial facilitators and contacts in the United Kingdom.

The agency also said some suspects allegedly linked to the network had been arrested by law enforcement authorities abroad.

The detention application was supported by an affidavit sworn by an NDLEA officer, Okonkwo Ebuka Anthony, and presented in court by Okon Nora.

Kazeem remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.