NDLEA Moves Against Pretty Mike’s Proxy Club, Files Forfeiture Suit After Alleged Lagos Drug Party Raid

 

A major legal storm is brewing in Lagos as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) launches a forfeiture case against Proxy Night Club, owned by popular socialite Mike Nwogu, widely known as Pretty Mike. The move follows a dramatic weekend raid in which operatives stormed the nightclub after receiving credible intelligence that a drug-themed party was being organized at the upscale venue in Victoria Island.

According to NDLEA authorities, the agency’s operation at the club located on 7 Akin Adesola Street was the result of weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering. Flyers allegedly advertising a “drug party” had been circulated online, inviting guests to an event where illicit substances were expected to be freely available. Acting on this tip, NDLEA undercover agents infiltrated the party, observed activities, and reportedly made pre-purchases of drugs before calling in enforcement units to carry out the raid between 11 p.m. on Saturday and 3 a.m. on Sunday.

Over 100 people were arrested during the operation, including Pretty Mike himself and the club’s manager, identified as Joachin Milary. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed that officers recovered a substantial quantity of illegal substances from the premises. The haul included 384.886 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a high-grade variant of cannabis, along with other assorted drugs stored within the club’s facilities.

Agency Chairman and Chief Executive, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, announced during the NDLEA’s annual commendation and award ceremony in Abuja that the agency had proceeded with a forfeiture case against the club. According to him, the decision sends a strong message that the NDLEA will not tolerate the open promotion or consumption of drugs in Nigeria’s entertainment and hospitality industry.

Marwa condemned the blatant nature of the event’s promotion, stressing that no individual or business should feel above the law. He explained that such reckless public advertising of drug-related parties poses a dangerous threat to public order and the nation’s youth.

“It is unacceptable for anyone to create an environment where drugs are glorified or freely traded,” Marwa stated firmly. “Nigeria’s laws are clear. The possession, sale, or use of illegal substances remains a criminal offense, and those who aid such behavior, whether directly or indirectly, will be held accountable. If one nightclub gets away with this, soon others will follow, and that is a culture we refuse to let take root.”

The NDLEA boss also issued a stern warning to nightclub owners, hotel operators, and property managers nationwide. He emphasized that any establishment found to be harboring or encouraging drug-related activities would face the risk of seizure. “Owners must understand that their facilities are at risk of forfeiture if used for criminal drug operations. This Lagos case will serve as a clear example of that policy,” he declared.

Beyond the immediate legal implications for Pretty Mike’s Proxy Night Club, the case highlights the NDLEA’s growing crackdown on drug distribution networks and recreational drug use across Nigeria. Marwa outlined the agency’s accomplishments over the past 30 months, revealing an impressive record of arrests, seizures, and rehabilitation efforts.

He disclosed that within the period, the NDLEA had arrested 45,853 suspects, confiscated over 8.5 million kilograms of various illicit substances, and secured 9,263 convictions in court. The agency also rehabilitated 26,613 drug users and organized nearly 10,000 sensitization campaigns across schools, workplaces, markets, and religious institutions.

Marwa said these achievements underscore the agency’s dual approach of reducing both drug supply and demand. He credited the NDLEA’s success to the dedication of its personnel, many of whom have operated under difficult and risky circumstances. During the award ceremony, fifteen senior officers were promoted, and several others received commendations for exceptional service.

He noted that the NDLEA’s reward system has played a crucial role in maintaining officer morale and ensuring consistent operational excellence. “Our officers face enormous pressures and temptations in the course of their duties, but their professionalism continues to make a difference in our national campaign against drugs,” he added.

As the forfeiture case against Proxy Night Club proceeds, the development has sparked significant public debate on the responsibilities of entertainment establishments in curbing the spread of drug use. Many observers see the NDLEA’s action as a defining test of Nigeria’s resolve to regulate nightlife culture and hold influencers accountable for promoting illegal activities.

For Pretty Mike, a figure long known for flamboyant appearances and controversial stunts, the unfolding case represents one of his most serious legal battles yet. The NDLEA insists that its action is not about targeting personalities but about upholding the law and protecting society from the growing menace of drug abuse.

If the forfeiture suit succeeds, it will not only serve as a major precedent in Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign but also send a strong warning to others in the entertainment industry tempted to cross legal boundaries.