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▶

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele have described the composition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid as a historic development.The lawmakers said the inclusion of politicians from different political parties signals the emergence of a broad-based alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They made the remarks during Wednesday’s plenary session, as the Senate considered suspending its sitting to allow lawmakers to attend the inauguration of the presidential campaign council.
Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, said the involvement of political leaders across party lines could promote inclusive governance and strengthen preparations for the forthcoming elections.
He argued that the development demonstrated that a broad political coalition was taking shape as the 2027 presidential campaign approached.
“My point, Mr President, is that in this country, in the best interests of the Nigerian people, a rainbow coalition indeed is on the move and very much on course,” the Senate Leader said.
Bamidele noted that the campaign council had attracted prominent politicians who do not belong to the ruling APC, describing their participation as an opportunity to incorporate diverse perspectives into the campaign.
Among those appointed are Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He explained that Soludo and Adeleke would coordinate campaign activities in their respective states, while Wike would oversee the exercise in the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State.
The Senate Leader called for a campaign focused on ideas, democratic values and national development rather than political differences.
“We will proceed out of this chamber as members of the ruling party, accompanied by our colleagues, to go to the presidential campaign council.
“We look forward to a campaign that will really celebrate ideas and celebrate our democracy. I really congratulate you, Mr President,” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who represents Benue South Senatorial District, seconded the motion for adjournment.
In his response, Akpabio described the composition of the campaign council as an uncommon development in Nigeria’s democratic history since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
According to him, the inclusion of politicians from different parties reflects an approach to governance built on unity, cooperation and shared political objectives.
“This is not just an inclusive government in terms of infrastructure, revenue allocation and reforms. It is also an inclusive government in terms of unity of purpose in democracy,” the Senate President stated.
Akpabio added that the council’s composition suggested that Tinubu’s pursuit of a second term would be framed around national unity and cross-party collaboration.
“What we are going to witness is evidence that his second term is going to be a unity government, just like his campaign council is a unity campaign council made up of almost all the political parties in the country,” he said.
Although the Senate President expressed optimism about the significance of the alliance, he refrained from predicting the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
He congratulated Tinubu, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and leaders of the other political parties represented in the council.
Akpabio also welcomed Soludo, Adeleke and Wike into the campaign structure, arguing that political party affiliation should not be the sole measure of an individual’s contribution to governance.
Speaking specifically about Soludo, a professor and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Akpabio expressed hope that the Anambra governor would contribute valuable ideas towards the country’s development.
“I can imagine how even a professor and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Soludo, will add his ideas to the next administration so that Nigeria will be better. This is the way Nigeria should be,” he said.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶