The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday arraigned a luxury goods dealer and lifestyle influencer, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two other suspects before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged attempt to export 184.5 kilograms of cocaine to the United Kingdom.

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

According to a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the defendants allegedly conspired between July 28 and August 1, 2026, to export the cocaine, concealed in five consignments, through a Lagos-based courier logistics firm to London.

They pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read to them.

The charge sheet, marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, alleged in count one that the three defendants conspired with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who have been arrested in London in connection with the case, to export the 184.5 kg of cocaine in five consignments.

The consignments were said to have been shipped under the name Yemi Ejide and carried Air Waybill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902.

The NDLEA 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 in preparation for 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 other counts relate to alleged money laundering by Afolabi, who was accused of moving several billions of naira through various companies and personal accounts.

The charge lists the following companies and accounts: 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.

He was also accused of failing to declare his assets to the agency as required by law.

During Friday’s proceedings, NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim opposed the defendants’ bail applications and urged the court to remand them in custody pending trial, citing the gravity of the alleged offences.

Justice Faji subsequently ordered the defendants remanded in the NDLEA’s facility and adjourned the matter until October 4, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application.

NDLEA operatives arrested Afolabi, also known as KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr Luxury, and Yemi Ejide, on the night of August 13, 2026, as he allegedly attempted to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris from 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 currencies and jewellery, which the agency said were believed to be proceeds of the illicit trade.

The first count of the charge accused the defendants of conspiring with the two suspects arrested in London 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. (The Nation)