By Divine Sam

The Federal High Court in Lagos has denied businessman and social media influencer Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, bail on medical grounds in his ongoing trial over alleged cocaine trafficking and money laundering.

Justice Musa Kakaki, who delivered the ruling on Wednesday, held that the defence had failed to provide sufficient medical evidence to justify the defendant’s release from custody.

The judge noted that no medical certificate was presented to support the application, stressing that the defence had not established special circumstances warranting bail.

“There is no medical certificate to warrant the court to grant him bail,” the judge ruled.

Despite refusing the application, Justice Kakaki directed the Ikoyi Custodial Centre to give Kazeem unrestricted access to doctors and medical specialists for any treatment he might require.

The court also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned proceedings until November 2 for the commencement of trial.

At the previous hearing on October 23, Kazeem was brought to the court premises in an ambulance while receiving oxygen, raising concerns about his health condition.

His lawyer, Emefo Etudo, had asked the court to grant him bail to enable him to receive specialised medical treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

The defence counsel argued that his client’s health had deteriorated following a lung collapse and that he needed specialised medical attention.

However, prosecuting counsel, Abu Ibrahim, opposed the application, maintaining that the medical evidence presented was insufficient to justify the defendant’s release.

The prosecution also argued that the defence had failed to provide documentation establishing that LUTH could not adequately manage Kazeem’s condition.

In his ruling, Justice Kakaki said the defence had not demonstrated any change in circumstances to warrant a fresh bail application. He also questioned the argument for treatment at the teaching hospital, noting that the same facility had been proposed for the defendant’s specialised care.

Kazeem is standing trial alongside Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch on a 22-count charge filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The defendants are accused of conspiring to export 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine to the United Kingdom and engaging in money laundering.

According to the NDLEA, the cocaine was allegedly concealed in five consignments and shipped through a Lagos-based logistics company.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

With the court directing an accelerated hearing while ensuring access to medical care, proceedings are expected to resume on November 2.