The Federal High Court in Lagos has denied businessman and social media influencer Kazeem Afolabi, popularly known as KC Luxury, bail on medical grounds in his trial over alleged cocaine trafficking and money laundering.
Justice Musa Kakaki ruled on Wednesday that the defence had failed to provide sufficient medical evidence to justify his release. He directed the Ikoyi Custodial Centre to ensure Afolabi had access to medical specialists and ordered an accelerated hearing. The case was adjourned until November 2, 2026.
Afolabi’s lawyer, Emefo Etudo, had sought bail for his client to receive specialised treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), citing his deteriorating health.
At the October 23 hearing, Afolabi arrived in an ambulance while receiving oxygen and remained inside the vehicle during proceedings. Bukki Yahya, a nurse at the Police Hospital, Falomo, Lagos, testified that he was admitted on October 7 with asthma and sepsis.
Etudo alleged that Afolabi had suffered a collapsed lung and was referred to LUTH because the Police Hospital lacked the necessary facilities. He also claimed his client was transferred from LUTH to a custodial centre on October 13 despite his condition.
Prosecution counsel Abu Ibrahim opposed the application, arguing that the defence had failed to establish that Afolabi’s illness could not be managed in custody or provide a report from LUTH to support its claim.
In rejecting bail, Kakaki said a previous recommendation for Afolabi to be assessed by a respiratory specialist did not establish that his condition could not be treated in custody.
He also found no material change in circumstances since the defendant’s remand on October 16, adding that custodial authorities could arrange specialist care if necessary.
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The ruling follows the court’s rejection of earlier bail applications on October 2, when it cited the seriousness of the charges, possible penalties and the risk of the defendants absconding.
Afolabi is standing trial alongside Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch on 22 counts involving alleged cocaine trafficking and money laundering. All three have pleaded not guilty.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned them on September 25 after seizing 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine at a DHL facility within the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company premises in Ikeja, Lagos, on August 3. The agency valued the drugs at about N39 billion.
According to the prosecution, the cocaine was concealed in five consignments destined for London. The NDLEA also linked the defendants to Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who were arrested in London in connection with the investigation.
The agency said Afolabi was arrested on August 13 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while preparing to travel to Paris.
He is also accused of moving billions of naira through personal and corporate accounts and using some of the funds to acquire vehicles and properties allegedly linked to the drug operation.
On September 17, the court dismissed Afolabi’s application to overturn an August 20 order authorising the NDLEA to detain him for an additional 30 days for investigation.
The defendants remain in custody as proceedings continue. The allegations against them have yet to be proved in court.