A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to produce detained social media influencer and businessman, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as “KC Luxury”, in court after he was allegedly held for 14 days without being formally charged.
Justice Friday Ogazi also directed the NDLEA to respond within five days to a fundamental rights application challenging Afolabi’s continued detention and show cause why he should not be released or granted bail.
The judge issued the orders on Thursday following an ex-parte application filed and argued by Afolabi’s counsel, Abdulhakeem Labi-Lawal (SAN), under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.
Afolabi was allegedly arrested by NDLEA operatives 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, alleged that his son had remained in NDLEA custody since his arrest without being informed of the offence for which he was arrested or formally charged before a competent court.
After hearing the application, Justice Ogazi directed that the NDLEA be served with the ex-parte motion, enrolled order and other accompanying processes within four working days.
The judge further ordered the agency to file its response within five days of service and produce Afolabi at the next hearing of the substantive application.
The matter was adjourned until September 9, 2026.
In the substantive suit, Afolabi is seeking declarations that his continued detention without a formal charge is unconstitutional and violates his fundamental right to personal liberty under the 1999 Constitution.
He is also asking the court to order his immediate release or, alternatively, admit him to bail on liberal terms pending the filing of any charge.
The applicant alleged that NDLEA operatives searched his residence at Movamo Court, Banana Island, Lagos, after his arrest without showing him or his family a search warrant.
According to his affidavit, the operatives searched the premises but found nothing incriminating.
He further alleged that the agency seized his iPhone 15 and demanded its password “under threat of bodily harm”.
He claimed the device contained private information belonging to him and his wife and that no narcotics, drug-related transactions or other material linking him to an offence was found.
Afolabi also accused the agency of taking and circulating photographs and videos of him in custody, which he said “portrayed him as a criminal before trial or conviction”.
He alleged that the publication violated his constitutional rights to dignity and privacy and exposed him to “public ridicule, embarrassment and humiliation”.
He is seeking N100 million in damages over the alleged publication of his photographs and videos, N50 million over the alleged unlawful arrest and detention, and N40 million for the alleged invasion of the privacy of his home and telephone.
The applicant is also asking the court to order the return of several items allegedly seized from him, including €8,000, £3,000, a Patek Philippe Nautilus wristwatch, an Audemars Piguet wristwatch with three bangles, Hermès bags, a Louis Vuitton travel box, an iPhone 15, a Lexus RX350 and a 2024 Toyota Hilux.
He maintained that “none of the items was acquired from the proceeds of narcotics or any other criminal activity”.
Afolabi also alleged that he suffers from acute and severe asthma and requires urgent medical treatment, which he said the facility where he is being detained cannot adequately provide.
He told the court that he has a permanent address in Lagos, strong family and business ties in Nigeria and is willing to surrender his international passport and comply with any bail conditions imposed by the court.
The NDLEA, however, said Afolabi’s arrest followed an investigation intyo the interception of 184.50 kilogrammes of cocaine allegedly linked to an international trafficking network.
The agency alleged that the cartel used Nigeria as a transit hub for cocaine shipments to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
It said the investigation also led to the seizure of foreign currencies and luxury items, as well as searches connected to the suspect.
The allegations by the NDLEA have not been determined by the court, and Afolabi remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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