Federal High Court Orders NDLEA to Produce Detained Influencer KC Luxury

A Second Judge Weighs In

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to produce social media influencer and businessman Kazeem Michael Afolabi, popularly known as KC Luxury, who has been detained over alleged cocaine offences. Justice Friday Ogazi, presiding over a separate fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Afolabi, directed the NDLEA to respond within five days and produce him at the next hearing, adjourned to September 9. The order comes even as another Federal High Court judge, Akintayo Aluko, had granted the agency a 30 day extension of Afolabi's detention on August 20, based on the NDLEA's request for more time to complete investigations.

The N39 Billion Seizure Behind the Case

Afolabi was arrested on August 13 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while preparing to board a business class flight to Paris. His arrest followed the NDLEA's seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at about N39 billion, which the agency described as its largest cocaine interception through a courier channel. NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa named Afolabi as the alleged Nigerian arrowhead of a trafficking network moving cocaine from South America through Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Operatives said they recovered foreign currency, jewellery, exotic vehicles and other assets from his Banana Island apartment. The agency said Afolabi used his profile as a dealer in gold, jewellery and luxury goods to mask his alleged role in the network, and separately arrested a logistics company employee, Lawal Kehinde, accused of helping process the shipment. Investigators say the case exposed the use of false identities and financial facilitators, with some suspects already arrested abroad.

Afolabi's Case for Release

Through his lawyer, Senior Advocate A. Labi Lawal, Afolabi told the court he had been held without charge or access to a competent court, and that a search of his home turned up no narcotics. He said his phone was seized and its contents examined without yielding any drug related material. He is seeking N190 million in damages over his detention, the alleged invasion of his privacy, and the circulation of photographs and videos of him in custody, which he says portrayed him as a criminal before trial. He has offered to surrender his international passport and comply with bail conditions, citing severe asthma that he says the detention facility cannot adequately manage.

Where the Case Stands

Afolabi has not been charged with any offence, and the allegations against him have not been tested in court. The Federal High Court must now determine whether his continued detention is lawful and whether he qualifies for bail while the NDLEA's investigation continues.