A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) an order extending the detention of socialite Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, popularly known as KC Luxury, by 30 days over alleged drug trafficking.
Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the order on August 20, following an application by the NDLEA seeking more time to investigate KC Luxury’s alleged involvement in a cocaine trafficking operation.
The socialite was arrested by NDLEA operatives on August 13 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while preparing to travel to Paris.
The agency had linked him to the seizure of 184.5kg of cocaine, which it described as its largest cocaine interception from a courier company.
According to NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa, KC Luxury was allegedly found with €7,750, £2,800, N100,000 and expensive jewellery at the time of his arrest.
The agency also arrested Lawal Kehinde, an employee of a logistics company allegedly connected to the seized consignment.
The NDLEA said its investigation indicated that Nigeria was being used as a transit point for illicit drugs destined for the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
It described KC Luxury as the alleged “Nigerian arrowhead” of the cartel operation.
Meanwhile, KC Luxury has challenged his continued detention in court.
His father, Eric Afolabi, who deposed to an affidavit in support of the application, alleged that his son had remained in NDLEA custody since his arrest without being informed of the offence for which he was arrested or being formally charged before a court.
He is seeking a declaration that his continued detention without a formal charge is unconstitutional and violates his fundamental right to personal liberty.
Justice Friday Ogazi had directed the NDLEA to respond to the application within five days and ordered the agency to produce KC Luxury in court at the next hearing.
The matter was adjourned until September 9 for hearing of the substantive application.
However, documents before the court showed that the Federal Government had earlier filed an application seeking a 30-day extension of KC Luxury’s detention to enable the NDLEA to conduct further investigations.
The court granted the request.
It also issued an interim preservatory order freezing funds in bank accounts linked to KC Luxury’s Bank Verification Number (BVN).
The order prohibits transactions involving the affected funds pending the conclusion of the investigation and/or prosecution.
The court adjourned the matter until September 17 for a report on the progress of the investigation.