A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) an additional 30 days to detain socialite and celebrity jeweller Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, popularly known as KC Luxury, over alleged drug trafficking.
Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the order on August 20, following an application by the NDLEA for more time to investigate KC Luxury’s alleged involvement in a 184.5kg cocaine seizure.
KC Luxury was arrested by NDLEA operatives on August 13 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while preparing to travel to Paris.
NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa said the suspect was allegedly found with €7,750, £2,800, N100,000 and expensive jewellery. He was arrested alongside Lawal Kehinde, a logistics company employee allegedly linked to the cocaine consignment.
The agency described KC Luxury as the “Nigerian arrowhead” of a cartel allegedly using Nigeria as a transit route for drugs destined for the UK, Europe and Asia.
Meanwhile, KC Luxury, through his father, Eric Afolabi, has challenged his continued detention, arguing that he had not been formally charged or informed of the offence for which he was arrested.
The court handling that application directed the NDLEA to respond within five days and ordered the agency to produce KC Luxury at the next hearing. The matter was adjourned to September 9.
In a separate ruling, the court granted an interim preservatory order freezing funds in KC Luxury’s Providus Bank account and other accounts linked to his Bank Verification Number (BVN).
The order bars dealings in the affected funds pending the conclusion of the investigation and/or prosecution.
The court adjourned the matter to September 17 for a report on the progress of the investigation.