The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Friday arraigned luxury goods dealer and lifestyle influencer Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two others over the alleged trafficking and attempted export of 184.5 kilograms of cocaine to the United Kingdom.
The defendants, Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, were arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos on a 22-count charge bordering on cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics and money laundering.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the NDLEA, the defendants allegedly conspired between July 28 and Aug. 1, 2026, to export the cocaine concealed in five consignments through a courier logistics company in Lagos.
The agency said the consignments were destined for London and were shipped under the name Yemi Ejide, with five separate airway bill numbers listed in the charge sheet.
The NDLEA also alleged that Sule procured Ekugo to facilitate the shipment, while Michael allegedly secured the assistance of a staff member of BOT Express Logistics to process the consignments.
The agency further accused Michael of unlawfully possessing the cocaine before its intended export and alleged that ₦13.2 million was transferred from a Mallamawa Ventures Zenith Bank account to BOT Express Logistics as payment for the shipment.
Sixteen of the counts relate to alleged money laundering. The NDLEA accused Michael of moving billions of naira through several companies and personal accounts and allegedly using some of the funds to acquire vehicles and landed properties.
The agency also alleged that he failed to declare his assets as required by law.
After the defendants pleaded not guilty, NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim opposed their bail applications and asked the court to remand them in custody pending trial, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences.
Justice Faji ordered that the defendants be remanded in the NDLEA’s facility and adjourned the case until Oct. 4, 2026, for ruling on the bail application.
Michael was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Aug. 13 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos as he allegedly attempted to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris.
The arrest followed the interception of the 184.5-kilogram cocaine consignment, which the NDLEA estimated to be worth about ₦39 billion.
The agency said a subsequent search of Michael and his Banana Island apartment led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currency and jewellery allegedly linked to proceeds of the drug trade.
The NDLEA said two other people linked to the case, Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, had already been arrested in London.
The case will return to court on Oct. 4 for a ruling on the defendants’ bail applications.
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