The Federal High Court in Lagos has refused to grant businessman and social media influencer, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, bail on medical grounds following his ongoing trial over alleged cocaine trafficking and money laundering.
Justice Musa Kakaki, who delivered the ruling on Wednesday, held that the defense failed to provide sufficient medical evidence to justify the defendant’s release.
The judge said the application did not establish special circumstances warranting bail, adding that no medical certificate had been presented to support the request.
“There is no medical certificate to warrant the court to grant him bail,” the judge ruled.
Justice Kakaki, however, directed the Ikoyi Custodial Centre to grant Kazeem unrestricted access to doctors and medical specialists for any treatment required.
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.
His lawyer, Emefo Etudo, had urged the court to grant him bail to enable him to obtain specialized medical treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
The defense counsel claimed that his client’s health had deteriorated following a lung collapse and argued that he required specialised medical attention.
However, prosecuting counsel, Abu Ibrahim, opposed the application, arguing that the medical evidence presented was insufficient to justify the defendant’s release.
The prosecutor also contended that the defense had failed to provide medical documentation showing that the Lagos University Teaching Hospital could not adequately manage Kazeem’s condition.
In his ruling, Justice Kakaki said the defense had not demonstrated any change in circumstances to justify the fresh bail application.
The judge also questioned the argument that Kazeem needed treatment at the teaching hospital, noting that the same facility was being proposed for his 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 kilograms of cocaine to the United Kingdom and engaging in money laundering.
The NDLEA alleged that the cocaine was concealed in five consignments sent through a Lagos-based logistics company.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.