By Fatima Idera, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THREE DEFENDANTS accused of trafficking 184.5kg of cocaine to London through a Lagos-based courier logistics firm have been landed a 22-count charge.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday 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, illegal export of narcotics and money laundering.
The defendants allegedly conspired between 28 July and 1 August 2026 to export the cocaine in five consignments to London, using airway bill numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902 under the shipper’s name, Yemi Ejide.
They pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Count one of the charge sheet, marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, alleges that the three defendants conspired with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who had already been arrested in London in connection with the case, to export the cocaine.
The other counts allege that Boniface procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the export, while Afolabi allegedly procured a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the consignments and unlawfully possessed the cocaine ahead of its export.
The charge sheet also alleges that Afolabi paid ₦13.2 million from a Mallamawa Ventures Zenith Bank account to BOT Express Logistics as consideration for the shipment.
Sixteen additional counts accuse Afolabi of money laundering under the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The charges allege that he funnelled several billions of naira through 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 funds were allegedly used, among other things, to acquire motor vehicles and landed properties in an effort to conceal the origin of proceeds from the alleged illicit trade. Afolabi is also accused of failing to declare his assets to the agency as required by law.
After the defendants entered their not guilty pleas, NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim opposed their bail applications and asked the court to remand them in a correctional facility pending trial, citing the gravity of the alleged offences.
The court subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in the agency’s facility and adjourned the matter until 4 October 2026 for ruling on the bail application.
NDLEA noted that case, which remains before the Federal High Court in Lagos, with the next ruling scheduled for 4 October 2026, shows that Afolabi, also known as KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr. Luxury, and Yemi Ejide, were arrested by its operatives on the night of 13 August 2026 while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris from MMIA, Lagos.
The agency also noted that their arrest followed the interception of the 184.5kg cocaine consignment, which the agency estimated to be worth about N39 billion.
A subsequent search of Afolabi and his Banana Island apartment led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currency and jewellery believed by the agency to be proceeds of the alleged illicit trade.
—
Share Your Story with us!
Advertise with us!
Publicity for a product, service, or event!
Contact: WhatsApp Only: +2348039560647
Email: jkmediapress@gmail.com
