184.5kg cocaine bust: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Lagos over a 22-count charge involving alleged cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics and money laundering.
The defendants—Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch—pleaded not guilty to all 22 counts when the charges were read to them on Friday, September 25, 2026.
184.5kg Cocaine Bust: KC Luxury and 2 Others Face 22 Counts
The prosecution alleges that the three defendants conspired between July 28 and August 1, 2026, to export 184.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five consignments destined for London, United Kingdom.
The consignments were allegedly shipped through a Lagos-based courier logistics company under the shipper’s name Yemi Ejide.
The five airway bill numbers listed in the charge are: 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902
The charge alleges that the defendants acted alongside Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who were reportedly arrested in London in connection with the case.
According to the charge sheet, Boniface allegedly procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the export, while Afolabi was accused of procuring a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the consignments.
Afolabi was also accused of unlawfully possessing the cocaine before its proposed export.
The prosecution further alleges that ₦13.2 million was transferred from a Mallamawa Ventures Zenith Bank account to BOT Express Logistics as payment connected to the shipment.
These allegations have not been established in court, and the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Sixteen of the 22 counts reportedly relate to alleged money laundering.
The NDLEA alleges that Afolabi moved several billions of naira through various companies and personal accounts, including Mallamawa Ventures, Fateey Man Multi-Purpose Nig. Ltd, Patonifa Ltd, Ade-Lak Resources, Holmestas Global Services Limited and La Capital Enterprises.
The prosecution alleges that some of the funds were used to acquire motor vehicles and landed properties as part of an effort to conceal the alleged origin of proceeds from illicit activities.
Afolabi is also accused of failing to declare his assets to the NDLEA as required by law.
184.5kg Cocaine Bust: Court Remands Defendants
After the defendants entered their not-guilty pleas, their bail application was argued before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim opposed the application and asked the court to remand the defendants pending trial, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
Justice Kakaki subsequently ordered that the three defendants be remanded in the Agency’s facility.
The court adjourned the matter until October 2, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application.
The NDLEA said Afolabi, who also used the names KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr. Luxury and Yemi Ejide, was arrested on the night of August 13, 2026.
According to the agency, operatives arrested him at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while he was attempting to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris.
The arrest followed the interception of the 184.5kg cocaine consignment, which the NDLEA estimated to be worth approximately ₦39 billion.
The agency further said a search of Afolabi and his Banana Island apartment resulted in the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currency and jewellery allegedly linked to proceeds of the suspected illicit trade.
Count one alleges that Afolabi, Boniface and Ikechukwu conspired with the two individuals arrested in London to export the 184.5kg cocaine in the five consignments.
The count cites Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendants have denied the allegations by pleading not guilty.
The immediate next step is the court’s ruling on the defendants’ bail application, scheduled for October 2, 2026.
The substantive allegations—including the alleged cocaine trafficking, attempted export, financial transactions and money-laundering claims—remain matters before the court and have yet to be determined at trial.
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