The Federal High Court in Lagos has allowed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to keep social media influencer and businessman Afolabi Kazeem Michael, known as KC Luxury, in detention for an extra 30 days. This is linked to a seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine.
Judge Akintayo Aluko granted this request on 20 August after the NDLEA asked for more time to look into Mr Kazeem’s alleged role in the drug trafficking case.
The agency submitted its request just a day after Mr Kazeem was arrested, according to a certified true copy of the order shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday.
The judge also ordered that funds in Mr Kazeem’s Providus Bank account number 4005905755 and other accounts tied to his Bank Verification Number (BVN) be preserved. This is to keep the funds safe until the investigation or prosecution is concluded.
The case has been postponed until 17 September for the NDLEA to update the court on its investigation.
"This case is adjourned to the 17th day of September, 2026 for report of investigation," Judge Aluko stated in the order.
This extension comes as Mr Kazeem is fighting to challenge his detention in front of another judge at the Federal High Court in Lagos. Justice Friday Ogazi ordered the NDLEA to bring him to court for the next hearing. The judge also told the agency to respond within five days to Mr Kazeem’s suit against his detention.
The judge ordered the NDLEA to receive the application, enrolled order, and other court documents within four working days. The case has been set for 9 September.
Mr Kazeem is pursuing this case through his lawyer, A. Labi-Lawal, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He wants the court to declare his detention unconstitutional and a violation of his right to personal liberty under the 1999 Constitution.
He is also seeking an order for his immediate release or bail on easy terms until any criminal charges are filed against him.
In support of his case, his father, Eric Afolabi, claimed that Mr Kazeem has been in NDLEA custody since his arrest without being told why or taken before a court.
Mr Kazeem also said that NDLEA operatives searched his home in Banana Island without showing a warrant and took his iPhone 15.
He accused the agency of taking and sharing photos and videos of him while in custody, saying they made him look like a criminal before he had been tried or convicted.
He is asking for N100 million in damages for the sharing of the photos and videos, N50 million for what he claims was unlawful arrest and detention, and N40 million for invasion of his privacy.
Mr Kazeem was arrested after the NDLEA seized 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine on 3 August at a DHL facility in the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) in Ikeja, Lagos.
The agency said the cocaine is worth about N39 billion and is the largest seizure it has made through a courier company in Nigeria.
The NDLEA reported that its investigators traced the cocaine shipment to an international trafficking network that allegedly moves cocaine from South America through Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia.
NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa named Mr Kazeem as the alleged Nigerian leader of the network. He said Mr Kazeem was arrested on 13 August at the boarding gate of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while preparing to travel to Paris on a business-class ticket.
The agency also claimed that operatives found €7,750, £2,800, and N100,000 in cash, along with expensive jewelry, during his arrest.
A search of his luxury apartment in Banana Island uncovered exotic cars and other valuable items.
The NDLEA accused Mr Kazeem of using his business interests in gold, jewelry, and luxury goods to hide his role in the trafficking network.
The agency also arrested Lawal Kehinde, who worked for a logistics company. They claim he helped to process and move cocaine shipments for export.
Mr Marwa said the investigation has revealed the use of fake identities, financial facilitators, and contacts in the UK. He added that some suspects connected to the network have been arrested by law enforcement abroad.
The NDLEA’s request for the extension of detention was backed by an affidavit from Okonkwo Ebuka Anthony, an agency officer. It was presented in court by Okon Nora.
Mr Kazeem has not been charged with any crime, and the claims against him have not yet been tested in court.
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