LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has filed a forfeiture case against Proxy Night Club, owned by Lagos socialite Mike Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike, following a raid on an alleged drug-themed party.
NDLEA operatives stormed the Victoria Island club between 11 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday, arresting over 100 attendees, including Nwogu and his manager. The agency said it acted on intelligence that the event was openly advertised as a “drug party.”
During the operation, undercover agents reportedly made pre-purchases of illicit substances and later recovered nearly 385 kilograms of Canadian Loud and other drugs from the club’s storage area.
NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa said the forfeiture suit aims to send a strong message to the entertainment industry. “We will not allow a culture of impunity to evolve in Nigeria,” he said during the agency’s annual award ceremony in Abuja.
He warned club owners and hoteliers that their properties could be seized if used for drug-related activities. “We will definitely make an example with this particular club in Lagos,” Marwa added.
Public reaction has been mixed. Some Nigerians questioned whether simply attending a nightclub constitutes a crime, while others supported the agency’s aggressive stance. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi clarified that Pretty Mike had advertised the event as a drug party, prompting the agency’s infiltration and raid.
Social media users debated the legality of the arrests, with some calling for clearer guidelines on what constitutes criminal liability in such settings. Others praised the NDLEA for taking decisive action against what they described as a growing trend of drug-fueled parties.
The agency also highlighted its broader achievements over the past 30 months, including 45,853 arrests, 9,263 convictions, and the rehabilitation of over 26,000 drug users.
The forfeiture case is expected to proceed in court as part of NDLEA’s efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria’s nightlife scene.
