Federal High Court Orders Temporary Forfeiture Of Pretty Mike’s Nightclub Over Drug Trafficking Allegations In Lagos

 

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has issued an interim forfeiture order on a popular nightlife spot reportedly owned by renowned socialite and entertainer, Mike Nwalie, widely known as Pretty Mike. The decision follows allegations that the nightclub, identified as Proxy Lagos and situated at No. 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, was being used for the storage and distribution of controlled substances, including nitrous oxide and cannabis.

Justice Musa Kakaki presided over the matter and granted the forfeiture request on Tuesday after reviewing an ex parte motion presented by counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Buhari Abdulahi. The NDLEA urged the court to approve the order as part of ongoing investigations into what the agency described as a coordinated attempt to organize a large-scale drug party.

Court documents reveal that the NDLEA received actionable intelligence in October 2025 suggesting that Proxy Lagos was preparing to host an event that would involve the consumption and sale of illicit substances. Acting swiftly on the information, a team of NDLEA operatives from the Lagos Strategic Command conducted a midnight raid on the property on October 26, 2025. The operation led to the discovery of 169 cylinders containing 384.662 kilograms of nitrous oxide, often referred to as laughing gas, alongside 200 grams of cannabis sativa.

Reports from the agency indicate that more than 200 individuals were arrested during the raid, including the two principal suspects, Pretty Mike and his associate, Joachim Hillary. Both men are alleged to have jointly managed the nightclub and permitted the venue to be used as a hub for illicit drug distribution and social events centered on drug consumption.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Mr Abdulahi argued that the nightclub served as an “instrumentality of crime,” emphasizing the need for the court to grant the forfeiture to prevent interference with the ongoing investigation. He further requested that all commercial and entertainment activities within the premises be halted until the conclusion of the inquiry, describing the order as a necessary step to preserve evidence and maintain the integrity of the investigation.

An affidavit submitted by Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Nasiru Garba Bungudu, detailed how the NDLEA surveillance unit monitored the premises for days before executing the raid. According to the affidavit, operatives observed frequent movement of vehicles and unusual late-night deliveries consistent with patterns associated with illegal drug trafficking. The recovered materials were later subjected to laboratory analysis, which confirmed that the seized substances were indeed controlled drugs under Nigerian law.

The NDLEA maintained that the nightclub had been under discreet observation for several months, following reports linking it to previous incidents of drug use during private parties. The agency stated that both owners were aware of these activities and permitted them to continue despite earlier warnings from local law enforcement officers.

Justice Kakaki, after examining the motion and supporting documents, ruled in favor of the NDLEA, granting the interim forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government. The court ordered that all operations at the nightclub remain suspended until investigations are completed and directed that notices of the forfeiture order be published to inform any interested parties who may wish to contest the decision.

Legal experts familiar with forfeiture proceedings explained that such interim orders allow the government to temporarily take control of assets suspected to be tied to criminal activities while investigations continue. If the NDLEA successfully proves its case, the property may be permanently forfeited to the government. However, if the suspects are cleared, ownership will be restored.

As the investigation proceeds, public attention has turned to the implications of the case for Nigeria’s nightlife and entertainment industry, which has faced increasing scrutiny over the alleged involvement of club operators in drug-related offenses. The NDLEA has repeatedly warned that its crackdown on illicit substances would extend to entertainment venues suspected of facilitating drug trafficking or consumption.

The case has been adjourned until January 28, 2026, when the court is expected to receive updates on the progress of the investigation and possibly entertain any counter-applications from the defendants or other interested parties.

For now, the once-buzzing Proxy Lagos nightclub remains sealed, with NDLEA officials stationed at the premises to ensure compliance with the court’s order, marking another major step in the agency’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Nigeria’s entertainment sector.