Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of social media influencer and businessman, Afolabi Michael Kazeem, popularly known as KC Luxury, alongside his alleged co-conspirators, Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) after dismissing their bail applications.

The trio were arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a second amended 22-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, cocaine trafficking and money laundering. They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following their plea, defence counsel, including Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal (SAN), Uche Okoronkwo and Chief Benson Ndakara, urged the court to admit the defendants to bail. The application was opposed by NDLEA counsel, Abu Ibrahim.

In his ruling, Justice Kakaki held that the court, in exercising its discretion, found no merit in the bail applications, citing the gravity of the alleged offences, the severity of the punishment if convicted, and the likelihood of the defendants absconding.

The judge further observed that trafficking in hard drugs remains a serious societal menace, noting that the instant case involves a substantial quantity of narcotics allegedly bound for an international destination.

Consequently, he dismissed the bail applications and ordered an accelerated hearing of the case. The matter was adjourned to November 2, 3, 4 and 5 for trial, while the defendants were ordered to remain in custody pending the determination of the charges.

According to the charge marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, the defendants allegedly conspired with two other suspects, Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who were earlier arrested in London, United Kingdom, in connection with the case, to export 184.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five consignments through a Lagos-based courier firm.

The consignments were said to bear Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902, and were shipped under the name “Yemi Ejide,” an alias allegedly used by Kazeem.

The prosecution further alleged that Boniface procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the export, while Kazeem engaged a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the shipments and was in unlawful possession of the narcotic prior to export.

NDLEA also linked Kazeem to a payment of ₦13.2 million from a Zenith Bank account belonging to Mallamawa Ventures to the logistics company for the shipment.

In addition, the charge contains multiple counts of alleged money laundering under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, accusing Kazeem of funnelling large sums of money through several 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, among others.

The funds were allegedly used to acquire luxury vehicles and landed properties in a bid to conceal the proceeds of the alleged illicit trade. He was also accused of failing to declare his assets to the agency as required by law.

Kazeem, also known by several aliases including KayCee Luxury, KC, Mr Luxury and Yemi Ejide, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on August 13, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while allegedly attempting to flee the country on a business-class flight to Paris following the interception of the cocaine shipment, estimated to be worth about ₦39 billion.

A search of his residence in Banana Island reportedly led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currencies and jewellery said to be proceeds of the alleged offences.