Cocaine Worth ₦39 Billion: NDLEA Arraigns KC Luxury, Two Suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, alongside Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged cocaine trafficking and money laundering offences.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the three defendants were brought before Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji on Friday and faced a 22-count charge relating to the alleged trafficking and attempted export of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine to London, as well as alleged financial offences.

The defendants were accused of conspiring between July 28 and August 1, 2026, with two other suspects already arrested in London, to export the cocaine in five separate consignments through a courier logistics company in Lagos. They pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The prosecution alleged that the consignments were shipped under the name Yemi Ejide and were linked to various airway bill numbers. Other counts accused the defendants of facilitating the shipment and unlawfully possessing the cocaine before its alleged export.

The charge sheet also contained allegations of money laundering against Afolabi, with the NDLEA claiming that billions of naira were moved through several companies and personal accounts. The agency further alleged that some of the funds were used to acquire vehicles and landed properties in an effort to conceal the proceeds of the alleged illicit activities.

The NDLEA also alleged that ₦13.2 million was transferred from an account linked to Mallamawa Ventures to a Lagos-based logistics company in connection with the shipment.

Following the defendants’ not-guilty pleas, their bail applications were argued. The prosecution opposed the applications and urged the court to keep the defendants in custody pending further proceedings, citing the seriousness of the allegations.

Justice Faji subsequently ordered that the three defendants remain in NDLEA custody while the court considers their bail applications. The matter was adjourned for a ruling on the bail applications.

The case follows the NDLEA’s seizure of 184.5kg of cocaine from a Lagos courier facility in August, which the agency described as its largest cocaine interception involving a courier company in Nigeria. The agency said the consignment was valued at approximately ₦39 billion.

KC Luxury was arrested by NDLEA operatives on August 13 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while he was preparing to travel to Paris, according to the agency. NDLEA had earlier identified him as an alleged Nigerian coordinator of an international cocaine trafficking network.

The allegations remain before the court, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.