Agency files 22-count charge over alleged UK-bound cocaine shipment, traces billions of naira through companies and personal accounts
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday, September 25, 2026, arraigned luxury lifestyle influencer Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, alongside two alleged accomplices, over an alleged 184.5-kilogram cocaine shipment destined for the United Kingdom.
The defendants—Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch—were brought before Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos on a 22-count charge alleging cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics and money laundering.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged conspiracy took place between July 28 and August 1, 2026, and involved five consignments of cocaine allegedly concealed for shipment through a Lagos-based courier logistics company to London.
The consignments were identified by Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902, and were allegedly shipped under the name “Yemi Ejide.”
The first count names Afolabi, Boniface and Ikechukwu alongside Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who the NDLEA says have already been arrested in London in connection with the case.
The charge alleges that the defendants conspired to export the 184.5kg of cocaine, an offence punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act.
The prosecution further alleges that Boniface procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the shipment, while Afolabi allegedly enlisted a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the consignments.
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Afolabi is also accused of unlawfully possessing the cocaine in preparation for its export.
The ₦13.2 million payment
Beyond the alleged drug trafficking, the prosecution has placed a financial transaction at the centre of its case against Afolabi.
The charge sheet alleges that ₦13.2 million was paid from a Mallamawa Ventures Zenith Bank account to BOT Express Logistics as consideration for the shipment.
The remaining counts broaden the case considerably, with 16 counts alleging money laundering under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the prosecution, Afolabi allegedly moved several billions of naira through a network of 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 NDLEA alleges that some of the funds were subsequently used to acquire motor vehicles and landed properties as part of an attempt to conceal the alleged proceeds and their origin.
The agency also alleges that Afolabi failed to declare his assets as required by law.
These allegations remain unproven. The defendants pleaded not guilty and will have the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s case in court.
Arrest at Lagos airport
The case stems from the seizure of the 184.5kg cocaine shipment, which the NDLEA estimates to have a street value of about ₦39 billion.
Afolabi, who also used the names KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr. Luxury and Yemi Ejide, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on the night of August 13, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to the agency, he was attempting to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris when he was arrested.
A subsequent search of the suspect and his apartment in Banana Island allegedly led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currency and jewellery which the agency believes may be proceeds of illicit activity.
Court orders remand
Following the defendants’ not-guilty pleas, their bail applications were argued before Justice Faji.
NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim opposed the applications and urged the court to remand the defendants in custody, citing the gravity of the alleged offences.
Justice Faji subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in the agency’s facility.
The judge adjourned the matter until October 4, 2026, for ruling on the bail application.
What the first count says
The first count of the charge sheet, marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, states:
«“That you: 1. Afolabi Kazeem Michael a.k.a. KayCee Luxury, KC, Yemi Ejide, 2. Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and 3. Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, Male, Adults, on or about the period between the 28t July 2026 and 1s day of August 2026 conspired with the duo of Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf (both of whom have been arrested in London, the United Kingdom in respect of this case) to export 184.5 Kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug contained in five (5) consignments with Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742, 2211893902 with shipper’s name as ‘Yemi Ejide’ and you thereby committed an act which is an offence against and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”»
The proceedings mark the latest stage in a case that combines an alleged international cocaine shipment with an extensive financial investigation into the movement and alleged laundering of its proceeds.
The defendants remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.