Businessman and social media influencer, Afolabi Michael Kazeem, popularly known as KC Luxury, was brought to the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday in an ambulance as his lawyer sought his release from custody to enable him to receive specialised medical treatment.

Kazeem, who was receiving oxygen inside the ambulance, was not taken into the courtroom because of his condition.

A correctional officer told the court that the defendant was critically ill and had been receiving medical attention, while a nurse from the Police Hospital, Falomo, Lagos, was called to testify about his condition.

The nurse, Bukki Yahya, told Justice Musa Kakaki that Kazeem was admitted to the Police Hospital on October 7, 2026, after being diagnosed with asthma and sepsis.

Yahya said the defendant remained inside the ambulance on the court premises but could not be brought into the courtroom because he was dependent on oxygen.

“My Lord, I am Bukki Yahya, the nurse attending to the patient, Afolabi. He was diagnosed with asthma and sepsis when he was brought to the Police Hospital, Falomo,” she told the court.

Following the testimony, Kazeem’s counsel, Emefo Etudo, questioned why his client had been brought to court despite his severe medical condition.

“If, for instance, the defendant was in the intensive care unit and is like this, why should they bring him to court?” Etudo asked.

Justice Kakaki subsequently directed that Kazeem be returned to the hospital.

The defence lawyer then proceeded with the bail application filed on behalf of his client, dated October 16, 2026.

Etudo told the court that the application was aimed at securing Kazeem’s release so he could undergo specialised treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

He said the defence had filed an affidavit of urgency, a 21-paragraph affidavit in support of the application, a written address and accompanying exhibits.

According to him, the defence also filed a response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit on October 22.

Etudo argued that Kazeem’s health had deteriorated significantly, claiming that the Police Hospital had reported a collapse of his lungs.

He said the defendant was subsequently referred to LUTH because the Police Hospital lacked the facilities needed to perform the required surgery.

The lawyer alleged that Kazeem was later removed from LUTH and taken to a correctional facility on October 13 despite his medical condition.

He further claimed that Kazeem’s condition deteriorated during the journey to the correctional centre, prompting those transporting him to return him to the Police Hospital, Falomo, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit.

Etudo urged the court to grant bail on medical grounds, arguing that the defendant’s condition warranted his release for proper treatment.

However, prosecution counsel, Abu Ibrahim, opposed the application.

Ibrahim informed the court that the prosecution had filed an 11-paragraph counter-affidavit sworn to by Ebuka Okwonkwo on October 22.

He argued that the defence was attempting to revive issues already considered by the court in its October 2 ruling concerning Exhibit AK2.

According to the prosecutor, the appropriate avenue for challenging that decision would have been an appeal rather than a fresh application before the same court.

Ibrahim also questioned whether the medical evidence presented by the defence was sufficient to justify bail.

He maintained that Kazeem’s underlying ailment remained asthma, although it might have become more severe.

“Your Lordship looked at the application. The ailment is the same. It is the same asthma. But maybe it has become acute; the character and the ailment are the same,” Ibrahim submitted.

The prosecutor further argued that the defence had not produced medical documentation from LUTH establishing that the hospital could not manage Kazeem’s condition.

He told the court that the records indicated Kazeem had been admitted, treated and discharged, and urged Justice Kakaki to reject the bail application.

While acknowledging that the decision to grant bail remained within the court’s discretion, Ibrahim described Kazeem as a potential flight risk.

He urged the court to impose stringent conditions if it decided to grant the application.

Responding, Etudo maintained that his client’s condition was plainly evident and urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms.

“The condition of the first defendant speaks for itself. We have heard what the prosecution said. We urge this court to grant this application on liberal terms,” he said.

The lawyer also assured the court that Kazeem would continue to attend proceedings if released, noting that his international passport was already being held by the authorities.

Kazeem is standing trial alongside Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch over alleged trafficking of 184.5kg of cocaine and money laundering.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Kakaki adjourned ruling on the bail application until October 28, 2026.