The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday arraigned luxury lifestyle influencer Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Lagos over a 184.5-kilogramme cocaine shipment valued at approximately N39 billion.
The agency filed 22 counts against the defendants — six relating to alleged cocaine trafficking and illegal export, and 16 bordering on money laundering. Afolabi, Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch pleaded not guilty before Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji.
Prosecutors allege the trio conspired between 28 July and 1 August 2026 with Atandare Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf — already arrested in London in connection with the same case — to smuggle the cocaine from Nigeria to the United Kingdom. The drug was allegedly concealed in five separate consignments processed through a Lagos-based courier logistics company and shipped under the name Yemi Ejide.
In one count, the NDLEA claims Afolabi paid N13.2 million from a Mallamawa Ventures Zenith Bank account to BOT Express Logistics as payment for processing the consignments. The agency further alleges Boniface procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the export, while Afolabi secured the assistance of a staff member of the logistics firm on Lagos Island.
The first count specifically accuses the defendants of conspiring to export 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine, contrary to Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act. Prosecutors also link Afolabi to possession of the cocaine ahead of its intended export.
The 16 money-laundering counts allege that Afolabi channelled several billions of naira through a network of companies and personal accounts in transactions designed to conceal the source of the funds. Named entities include Mallamawa Ventures, Fateey Man Multi-Purpose Nigeria Limited, Patonifa Limited, Ade-Lak Resources, Holmestas Global Services Limited and La Capital Enterprises. Investigators claim proceeds of the alleged illicit trade were used to acquire motor vehicles and landed properties.
Afolabi is also accused of failing to declare his assets to the NDLEA as required by law.
The developments follow the interception of the cocaine consignment. NDLEA operatives arrested Afolabi on the night of 13 August 2026 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as he allegedly attempted to board a business-class flight to Paris. A subsequent search of his Banana Island apartment allegedly yielded exotic vehicles, foreign currencies and jewellery suspected to be proceeds of illicit activities.
Afolabi, who operated online under identities including KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr Luxury and Yemi Ejide, had publicly presented himself as a luxury-goods dealer and lifestyle influencer.
The case has an international dimension, with the two suspects arrested in London named as alleged collaborators. Prosecutors describe a coordinated operation involving drug trafficking, international courier services and the alleged laundering of proceeds through businesses, bank accounts and asset acquisitions.
After the not-guilty pleas, NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim opposed bail applications, citing the gravity of the offences. Justice Faji ordered the three defendants remanded in NDLEA custody and adjourned the matter to 4 October 2026 for a ruling on bail.
The defendants remain presumed innocent unless and until the allegations are proven in court.