A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to produce socialite and celebrity jeweller Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, popularly known as KC Luxury, in court after he spent 14 days in custody without being formally charged.
KC Luxury was arrested by NDLEA operatives on August 13 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while preparing to travel to Paris. The agency linked him to the seizure of 184.5kg of cocaine, which it described as its largest cocaine bust from a courier company.
NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, alleged that the socialite was found with €7,750, £2,800, N100,000 and expensive jewellery. He was reportedly arrested alongside a logistics company employee, Lawal Kehinde, who was allegedly connected to the consignment.
However, no formal charge has been filed against KC Luxury since his arrest.
In an application filed through his lawyer, A. Labi-Lawal, SAN, KC Luxury challenged his continued detention, describing it as a violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty.
He also alleged that NDLEA operatives searched his Banana Island residence without presenting a search warrant and seized his iPhone 15. According to him, the phone contained private information belonging to him and his wife, but the search allegedly produced no evidence linking him to narcotics.
The socialite further accused the agency of taking and circulating his photographs and videos while in custody, allegedly portraying him as a criminal before trial.
KC Luxury is seeking N100 million in damages over the alleged publication of his images and videos, N50 million for alleged unlawful arrest and detention, and N40 million over the alleged invasion of his privacy.
He is also asking the court to order the return of several seized items, including foreign currencies, luxury wristwatches, designer bags, an iPhone 15, a Lexus RX350 and a 2024 Toyota Hilux.
The socialite also told the court that he suffers from acute and severe asthma and requires urgent medical attention, alleging that the detention facility cannot adequately provide the necessary treatment.
Justice Friday Ogazi directed the NDLEA to respond to the application within five days of being served with the court processes and ordered the agency to produce KC Luxury at the next hearing.
The matter has been adjourned until September 9 for hearing of the substantive application.
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