The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday arraigned Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two other accomplices, Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the alleged attempted export of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine worth about N39 billion to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the defendants, who pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read to them, allegedly conspired between July 28 and August 1, 2026, to export the illicit drug concealed in five consignments through a Lagos-based courier logistics firm to London.
Count one of the charge sheet marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026 accused Afolabi, Boniface, and Ikechukwu of conspiring with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who have been arrested in London in connection with the same case, to export the narcotic drug.
The five consignments were said to have carried Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742, and 2211893902, with the shipper’s name given as Yemi Ejide.
Other counts alleged that Boniface procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the export, while Afolabi allegedly procured a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the consignments.
Afolabi was also accused of unlawfully possessing the cocaine ahead of 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.
Sixteen counts in the charge relate to alleged money laundering by Afolabi, who was accused of funnelling several billions of naira through various companies and personal accounts.
The accounts and companies listed included Mallamawa Ventures, Fateey Man Multi-Purpose Nig. Ltd, Patonifa Ltd, Ade-Lak Resources, Holmestas Global Services Limited, and La Capital Enterprises.
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.
Afolabi was also accused of failing to declare his assets to the agency as required by law.
Following the not-guilty pleas and arguments on their bail applications, NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim opposed the applications and urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending trial, citing the gravity of the alleged offences.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in the agency’s 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 from the 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.
A subsequent search of Afolabi and his Banana Island apartment led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currency, and jewelry, which the NDLEA said were believed to be proceeds of the illicit trade.
Count one of the accused charged the three defendants of conspiring with Atandare and Latifat to export the cocaine, contrary to Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
