The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to produce Lagos-based social media influencer and businessman, Kazeem Afolabi, popularly known as “KC Luxury,” before the court over his alleged 14-day detention without formal charge.
Justice Friday Ogazi issued the order on Thursday following an ex parte application filed by Afolabi through his counsel, A. Labi-Lawal, SAN, under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.
The court also directed the NDLEA to respond within five days to the application challenging Afolabi’s continued detention and show cause why he should not be released or admitted to bail.
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 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 detained or being charged before a competent court.
Following the hearing, Justice Ogazi ordered the applicant to serve the NDLEA with the motion, enrolled order and other accompanying processes within four working days.
The judge further directed the agency to file its response within five days of service and produce Afolabi in court on the next adjourned date for hearing of the substantive originating motion.
The matter was adjourned until September 9, 2026.
Afolabi Challenges Detention
In the substantive application, Afolabi is asking the court to declare his continued detention without a formal charge unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution.
He is also seeking an order directing the NDLEA to release him immediately or, alternatively, admit him to bail on liberal terms pending the filing of any charge against him.
The applicant alleged that NDLEA operatives arrested him at the airport and subsequently searched his residence at Movamo Court, Banana Island, Lagos.
According to the affidavit, the operatives allegedly failed to show him or members of his family a search warrant before conducting the search and reportedly recovered nothing incriminating from the premises.
Afolabi further alleged that the operatives seized his iPhone 15 and demanded the password to the device, allegedly threatening him with bodily harm if he refused to provide it.
He claimed that the phone contained private information belonging to him and his wife and that the search allegedly revealed no narcotics, drug-related transactions, communications or other material linking him to any offence.
Claims Over Publicity, Seized Property
The businessman also alleged that photographs and videos of him were taken and circulated while he was in custody, portraying him as a criminal despite the absence of a conviction.
He contended that the alleged publication violated his rights to dignity and privacy and subjected him to ridicule, embarrassment and humiliation.
Consequently, Afolabi is seeking N100 million in damages over the alleged taking and circulation of his photographs and videos.
He is also demanding N50 million for alleged unlawful arrest and detention and another N40 million for alleged invasion of the privacy of his home and telephone.
The applicant is further seeking an order compelling the NDLEA to return properties allegedly seized from him.
Among the items listed are €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.
Afolabi maintained that the properties were not acquired from the proceeds of narcotics or any other criminal activity.
He also raised concerns about his medical condition, alleging that he suffers from acute and severe asthma requiring urgent treatment which, according to him, the detention facility cannot adequately provide.
The applicant 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.
NDLEA Links Case to 184.50kg Cocaine
The NDLEA, according to processes before the court, linked Afolabi’s arrest to an investigation arising from the interception of 184.50kg of cocaine allegedly connected to an international drug trafficking network.
The agency alleged that the network used Nigeria as a transit point for cocaine shipments destined for the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
The investigation, the agency further alleged, led to the seizure of foreign currencies and luxury items and prompted searches connected to the applicant.
The court is expected to hear the substantive application on September 9, 2026.
