A Federal High Court in Lagos has rejected an application by social media influencer Afolabi Michael Kazeem, popularly known as KC Luxury, seeking to overturn an order extending his detention for 30 days over an alleged cocaine trafficking offence.
Justice Aluko dismissed the application on Thursday, holding that the detention extension granted on August 20, 2026, was valid and supported by the Constitution and relevant drug-control legislation.
Kazeem, through his lawyer, Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, SAN, had asked the court to set aside the order, arguing that the court lacked the jurisdiction to extend his detention.
His counsel relied on Sections 293 to 299 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, arguing that only a Magistrate Court could issue a remand order.
The lawyer also contended that the continued detention amounted to an infringement of Kazeem’s constitutional right to personal liberty.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) opposed the application, describing the defence’s position as a misunderstanding of the nature of the order granted by the court.
NDLEA’s counsel, Abu Ibrahim, argued that the August 20 order was not a remand order under the ACJA.
Instead, he said, it was an extension of detention granted to allow the agency to conduct further investigations into the alleged drug trafficking offence.
According to the facts before the court, Kazeem was arrested on August 13, 2026, at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while allegedly preparing to travel to Paris, France.
The NDLEA had told the court that the arrest followed the seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine at a DHL facility in Ikeja, Lagos.
The agency alleged that Kazeem was connected to the shipment.
Court rules on jurisdiction
In dismissing the application, Justice Aluko held that the ACJA provisions cited by the defence concerning remand proceedings did not apply to the case.
The judge also held that the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over drug-related matters under Section 251(1)(m) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 26(1) of the NDLEA Act.
Also Read: Presidency reacts to Shettima’s claim ‘only six northern governors’ backed Tinubu
Justice Aluko further found that the evidence presented by the NDLEA established reasonable suspicion of a drug-related offence.
The court held that the circumstances were sufficient to justify the temporary deprivation of Kazeem’s liberty under Section 35 of the Constitution.
The judge consequently dismissed the application, describing it as lacking merit and amounting to an abuse of the court process.
Kazeem will therefore remain subject to the detention extension order while the NDLEA continues its investigation into the alleged cocaine trafficking case.