Court Directs NDLEA to Bring KC Luxury Before It After 14 Days Detention

Justice Friday Ogazi of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to produce detained Lagos social media influencer and businessman, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as “KC Luxury”.

Justice Ogazi ordered his arraignment after the social media influencer was allegedly held for 14 days in the agency’s custody without being formally charged, it was reported.

The court also ordered the anti-narcotics agency to respond within five days to the fundamental rights application challenging the continued detention of Afolabi and show cause why he should not be released or admitted to bail.

Justice Ogazi made the orders on Thursday while ruling on an ex parte application filed by Afolabi through his counsel, A. Labi-Lawal, SAN, under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.

Afolabi was allegedly arrested by operatives of the NDLEA on August 13, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while preparing to travel to Paris.

His father, Eric Afolabi, who deposed to the supporting affidavit on his behalf in the application before the court alleged that his son had been in the custody of the NDLEA since his arrest without being told the offense for which he was arrested or formally charged before a competent court.

After hearing the application, Justice Ogazi ordered that the NDLEA be served with the ex parte motion, the enrolled order and other accompanying processes within four working days.

The judge also ordered the agency to file its response within five days of service and produce Afolabi in court on the next adjourned date for the hearing of the substantive originating motion.

The court adjourned the case for hearing of the substantive application until September 9, 2026.

The order was passed on the plea of the applicant that his continued detention beyond the constitutionally permissible period, without any charge being framed against him, was violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty.

In the substantive suit, Afolabi wants the court to declare that his continued detention without being formally charged is unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution.

He is also seeking an order of the court to release him immediately or in the alternative admit him to bail on liberal terms pending the filing of any charge against him.

The applicant complained that NDLEA operatives unlawfully arrested and detained him after he was intercepted at the airport.

He also claimed that after arresting him, the agency searched his house at Movamo Court, Banana Island, Lagos, without showing him and his family members search warrant.

The affidavit said the operatives searched the entire premises but found nothing incriminating.

Afolabi further alleged that the operatives seized his iPhone 15 and demanded that he divulge the password to the device, allegedly under threat of bodily harm.

There was private information on the phone, belonging to him and his wife, and no indication of narcotics, drug-related transactions, communications or other material linking him to an offense, he said.

The applicant also accused the NDLEA of taking and circulating photographs and videos of him while in custody in circumstances which, he alleged, portrayed him as a criminal before trial or conviction.

He argued that the alleged publication violated his constitutional rights to dignity and privacy and exposed him to public ridicule, embarrassment and humiliation.

Afolabi is therefore demanding ₦100 million in damages over the alleged taking and circulation of his photographs and videos.

He is also asking for ₦50 million for alleged wrongful arrest and detention and ₦40 million for alleged breach of his right to privacy of his home and telephone.

Wants seized property back
The applicant is also asking the court to order the NDLEA to return several items allegedly seized from him.

These include €8,000, £3,000, a blue-strap Patek Philippe Nautilus wristwatch, an Audemars Piguet wristwatch with three bangles, a Hermès handbag, a Hermès Birkin travel bag, a Louis Vuitton travel box, an iPhone 15, a Lexus RX350 and a 2024 Toyota Hilux.

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He said none of the items were acquired from the proceeds of narcotics or any other criminality.

He also raised medical concerns, alleging that he requires urgent treatment and management for acute and severe asthma and that the facility where he is being detained cannot adequately provide the required medical care.

He told the court that he has a permanent address in Lagos, strong family and business ties in Nigeria and is ready to surrender his international passport and abide by any bail conditions that the court may impose.

The NDLEA said the arrest was made following an investigation into the interception of 184.50 kilogrammes of cocaine linked to an international trafficking network. The agency alleged the cartel used Nigeria as a transit hub for cocaine shipments to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

It said its investigation also led to the seizure of foreign currencies and luxury items, as well as searches linked to the suspect.