Lagos Court Denies KC Luxury, Two Others Bail Over Alleged 184.5kg Cocaine Trafficking
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State, has rejected the bail applications filed by businessman Afolabi Michael Kazeem, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two other defendants facing trial over alleged cocaine trafficking and related offences.
Justice Musa Kakaki dismissed the applications after considering the seriousness of the allegations, the potential punishment upon conviction and concerns that the defendants could abscond if released on bail.
The court also took note of the wider concern surrounding illicit drug trafficking, describing the prevalence of hard drugs as a menace to society.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had charged the three defendants in a 21 count case involving alleged cocaine trafficking and other related offences.
KC Luxury is the principal defendant and is named in 21 of the counts, while the other defendants are Boniface Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
How the Case Began
KC Luxury was arrested on August 13 at the departure hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while allegedly preparing to travel to Paris, France.
His arrest followed the seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine at a DHL facility in Ikeja, Lagos.
The NDLEA alleges that KC Luxury was linked to the consignment and that the shipment formed part of a wider operation to export narcotics.
Prosecutors further allege that KC Luxury conspired with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who were reportedly arrested in London in connection with the investigation.
The prosecution also alleges that the consignment linked to KC Luxury was processed using the pseudonym “Yemi Ejide.”
The allegations remain before the court, and the defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Court Sets Dates for Further Hearing
Following the ruling on bail, the Federal High Court adjourned the case for further proceedings.
The matter will come up from Monday, November 2, to Thursday, November 5, with hearings scheduled to take place daily during the period.
The next phase of proceedings is expected to focus on the prosecution’s evidence and the defendants’ responses as the court continues to determine the allegations against them.
