NDLEA files forfeiture suit against Pretty Mike’s nightclub over drug party

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has filed a forfeiture case against Proxy Night Club, a Lagos entertainment venue owned by socialite Mike Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike, following a raid on an alleged drug party.

The club, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, was stormed by NDLEA operatives in the early hours of Sunday after intelligence suggested the organisers had promoted a “drug party.” Over 100 attendees, including the club owner and manager Joachin Milary, were arrested.

In an update on Tuesday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said undercover operatives monitored the club for about four hours, made pre-purchases of illicit substances, and later recovered 384.886 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a high-grade strain of cannabis, along with other narcotics during the operation.

Speaking at the NDLEA’s annual commendation and award ceremony in Abuja, the agency’s chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), said the forfeiture case became necessary after the club “brazenly advertised” the event in violation of Nigerian drug laws.

“We will not allow a culture of impunity such as this to evolve in Nigeria. If you allow one, within weeks every nightclub will invite people for a drug party. We will not allow it,” Marwa said.

He warned club owners, hoteliers, and facility managers nationwide that their properties could be seized if used for drug-related activities.

“The risk is the forfeiture of their properties if they are used to perpetrate criminal drug activities. We will make an example with this particular club,” he added.

Marwa also outlined the agency’s achievements in the last 30 months, including 45,853 arrests, 8.5 million kilogrammes of seized drugs, 9,263 convictions, and the rehabilitation of 26,613 drug users. He said the NDLEA conducted nearly 10,000 sensitisation campaigns across schools, workplaces, and communities within the same period.