In a significant development that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s entertainment industry, the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of a high-profile nightclub owned by celebrity socialite Mike Nwalie, popularly known as Pretty Mike, following serious drug-related allegations.
Justice Musa Kakaki delivered the ruling on Tuesday after considering an ex parte application brought before the court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by counsel Mr. Buhari Abdulahi.
The property at the center of the controversy is Proxy Lagos Night Club, located at the prestigious address of No. 7 Akin Adesola Street in Victoria Island, one of Lagos’s most affluent commercial and entertainment districts. According to court documents, the establishment allegedly served as more than just a venue for nightlife—the NDLEA claims it functioned as a sophisticated storage and distribution center for substantial quantities of controlled substances.
The agency’s allegations are damning: investigators reportedly discovered 169 cylinders containing 384.662 kilograms of nitrous oxide—commonly known as “laughing gas”—alongside 200 grams of cannabis sativa on the premises. The NDLEA contends that the nightclub, jointly owned by Pretty Mike and co-owner Joachim Hillary, was being prepared as a base for what authorities described as a “large-scale drug party.”
In a sworn affidavit deposed by Deputy Commander of Narcotics Nasiru Garba Bungudu, the NDLEA detailed how the operation unfolded. The agency revealed that it had received credible intelligence in October 2025 regarding preparations for a major drug-fueled event at the nightclub. Acting swiftly on this information, operatives from the NDLEA’s Lagos Strategic Command executed a dramatic midnight raid on October 26, 2025.
The operation yielded significant results. Beyond the recovery of the narcotics, more than 200 individuals were arrested at the scene, including both respondents—Pretty Mike and Hillary. Subsequent laboratory analysis confirmed that the seized substances were indeed controlled drugs under Nigerian law.
Perhaps most concerning for the accused, the NDLEA’s affidavit alleged that this was not an isolated incident. According to the agency, the nightclub had an established history of drug-related activities, all allegedly conducted with the full knowledge and consent of its owner.
Mr. Abdulahi, counsel for the NDLEA, presented compelling arguments before Justice Kakaki. Moving the motion dated October 27, 2025, he urged the court to grant an interim forfeiture order, characterizing the nightclub as an “instrumentality of crime” under provisions of the NDLEA Act. The legal basis for such forfeiture rests on the principle that properties used to facilitate criminal activity can be seized by the state.
The NDLEA’s counsel didn’t stop there. He also sought—and obtained—an order suspending all commercial and entertainment activities at the property until investigations reach their conclusion. Abdulahi argued that such measures were essential to preserve the integrity of the property during the ongoing probe and assured the court that no party would suffer undue prejudice from the decision.
After carefully reviewing the motion and the supporting evidence presented, Justice Kakaki granted the NDLEA’s prayers in their entirety. The court ordered the interim forfeiture of the nightclub to the Federal Government and directed that all operations at the venue remain suspended pending completion of investigations.
The case has been adjourned until January 28, 2026, for further hearing, giving the respondents time to mount their defense and the NDLEA additional time to complete its investigations.
This development marks a significant escalation in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking and abuse, particularly within the entertainment sector. The case also raises important questions about the regulation of nightlife establishments and the responsibilities of business owners in preventing their premises from being used for illegal activities.
For Pretty Mike, a figure well-known in Lagos’s social circuit for his controversial public appearances and lifestyle, the allegations represent a serious threat not only to his business interests but potentially to his personal freedom. As the case proceeds, all eyes will be on the Federal High Court to see how justice unfolds in this high-profile matter.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Pretty Mike’s Victoria Island nightclub has been seized by court order following a midnight NDLEA raid that uncovered nearly 385 kilograms of nitrous oxide and cannabis.
Over 200 people were arrested at the scene, and authorities claim the venue was preparing to host a “large-scale drug party.” The nightclub remains closed pending investigation, with the case returning to court in January 2026.
This represents one of the most significant drug enforcement actions targeting Nigeria’s entertainment industry, sending a clear warning that no venue—regardless of its owner’s celebrity status—is above the law when it comes to drug trafficking.
