Court remands influencer and two others in alleged cocaine-export case

A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded lifestyle influencer and luxury goods dealer Afolabi Kazeem Michael, known as KC Luxury, and two other defendants over alleged cocaine trafficking and money laundering. Michael was arraigned alongside Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch on a 22-count charge filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The allegations include conspiracy, attempted export of narcotics, unlawful possession and money laundering.

The NDLEA alleged that the defendants attempted to send 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine, valued at about N39bn, to the United Kingdom between July 28 and August 1, 2026. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. According to the charge, the cocaine was concealed in five consignments sent through a Lagos courier logistics company under the name Yemi Ejide.

The agency alleged that Sule procured Ekugo to help with the shipment, while Michael procured a logistics company employee to process the consignments. The prosecution also alleged that N13.2m was paid from a Zenith Bank account belonging to Mallamawa Ventures for shipping the consignments. It said two other suspects connected to the case had been arrested in London.

Sixteen counts against Michael concern alleged money laundering. The NDLEA said billions of naira were moved through several companies and personal accounts, with funds allegedly used to acquire vehicles and landed property. It also accused him of failing to declare assets.

The prosecutor opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations. The court ordered that the three defendants remain in NDLEA custody and adjourned the case until October 4, 2026, for a ruling on their bail applications.