Businessman Afolabi Michael Kazeem, popularly known as KC Luxury, has challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Lagos over an interim order directing the preservation of his properties.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Kazeem argued that the proceedings leading to the order breached his constitutional right to a fair hearing, urging the court to set aside the decision and order the immediate release of the affected assets.
The businessman, who is standing trial alongside two co-defendants over an alleged 184.5-kilogramme cocaine trafficking operation and money laundering, is seeking an order striking out the proceedings for lack of jurisdiction and vacating the property preservation order issued on September 25, 2026.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, his lawyer, Emefo Etudo, informed Justice Musa Kakaki that the defence had filed an application on October 13 challenging the court’s jurisdiction after learning of the preservation order through a newspaper publication.
The application is scheduled for hearing on December 3, 2026.
Etudo explained that the defence had earlier requested a certified true copy of the proceedings of September 25 to establish what transpired before the order was issued and to enable the filing of an additional affidavit.
He maintained that the court should not have granted the preservation order under the circumstances, insisting that the process raised concerns about his client’s right to fair hearing.
However, counsel to the applicant, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the matter listed for the day was for a report. He reminded the court that the preservation order had been granted on September 25, with a directive that it be published in a widely circulated newspaper.
In the application dated October 13, Kazeem’s legal team argued that their client was not served with a hearing notice before the order was made, depriving him of the opportunity to oppose the application.
The defence contended that the alleged failure violated Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to fair hearing in the determination of civil rights and obligations.
To support their argument, the lawyers cited several judicial authorities, including Madukolu v. Nkemdilim (1962) 2 SCNLR 341, maintaining that compliance with due process is a prerequisite for the valid exercise of judicial jurisdiction.
They argued that the alleged procedural lapses rendered the proceedings invalid and justified setting aside the preservation order.
Beyond the legal challenge, Etudo raised concerns about Kazeem’s health, telling the court that the businessman was in a critical condition.
“My Lord, just as a form of information to the court, the first defendant is between life and death as we speak,” the lawyer said.
He alleged that Kazeem was taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on Tuesday but was subsequently removed by police officers and transferred to the Police Hospital.
Etudo further claimed that both of the businessman’s lungs were no longer functioning properly.
“Only the living can be tried,” he added.
The defence also raised the health concerns in an affidavit supporting the application, which was sworn by Kazeem’s wife, Adepeju Afolabi.
In the affidavit, she alleged that her husband’s condition had deteriorated and that he was receiving treatment at LUTH.
Attached to the affidavit was a medical report dated September 15, 2026, issued by the medical unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command in Lagos.
The report, signed by Dr Odey John C., a Superintendent of Narcotics and head of the medical unit, identified Kazeem as a 49-year-old man suffering from chronic asthma.
According to the report, he had experienced repeated episodes of breathlessness, wheezing and chest pain despite receiving treatment.
The medical officer recommended that Kazeem be examined by a consultant respiratory physician or pulmonologist to assess his condition, optimise his treatment and prevent further acute episodes.
Meanwhile, the defence alleged that the NDLEA had begun taking steps towards selling the properties covered by the preservation order.
According to the supporting affidavit, Kazeem told his wife during a visit to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre on October 2 that he had learnt through media reports that the court had ordered the preservation of his assets.
She further alleged that her husband subsequently informed her that the agency had initiated plans to sell the properties.
The defence questioned the necessity of preserving the assets, arguing that the properties were not perishable and that Kazeem remained presumed innocent because his criminal trial had yet to be concluded.
The application is seeking an order striking out the proceedings for lack of jurisdiction, setting aside the September 25 preservation order and directing the immediate release of the affected properties.
Kazeem and his co-defendants, Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, are facing a second amended 22-count charge filed by the NDLEA before Justice Kakaki.
The charges relate to alleged conspiracy, cocaine trafficking and money laundering. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The agency alleged that the defendants conspired with two other suspects, Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who were arrested in London, United Kingdom, to export 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in five consignments through a Lagos-based courier logistics company to London.
The prosecution further alleged that Kazeem facilitated the shipment and transferred ₦13.2 million from a Mallamawa Ventures account domiciled with Zenith Bank to BOT Express Logistics for the consignment.
The NDLEA also alleged that some of the funds were used to acquire luxury vehicles and landed properties. The defendants have denied the allegations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

UFC chief executive Dana White has predicted that the highly anticipated heavyweight showdown between British boxing stars Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will end in a knockout before the final bell.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa is under increasing pressure after the Football Association (FA) fined him £25,000 for improper conduct.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The sanction followed Arbeloa’s admission of a charge relating to remarks he made after Fulham’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Manchester United in September. The Spanish coach had accused match officials of favouring the Red Devils, claiming they would “not let Manchester United lose”.
His comments raised concerns about the impartiality of referees, prompting the FA to impose the financial penalty and issue an official warning over remarks considered to have questioned the integrity of match officials.
Arbeloa’s disciplinary setback comes amid Fulham’s disappointing start to the season. After six matches, the London club were reportedly rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, having collected just two points.
The pressure on the manager has reportedly increased following Fulham’s disappointing defeat to newly promoted Ipswich Town. Despite taking an early lead, Fulham conceded twice in the closing stages to suffer a 2-1 loss.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Fulham’s hierarchy are considering former Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira as a potential replacement should Arbeloa fail to improve the team’s fortunes.
Pereira is reportedly being considered because of his experience managing clubs in difficult situations, including sides battling to avoid relegation in English football.
According to reports, Arbeloa has two matches against Hull City and Coventry City to turn things around and strengthen his position at the club.
The outcomes of those fixtures could prove crucial to his future as Fulham manager, with pressure mounting for an improvement in results.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶