A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of Proxy Lagos Night Club, a popular entertainment spot owned by well-known Lagos socialite Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, also known as Pretty Mike.
The order was issued by Justice Musa Kakaki on Tuesday after hearing a motion ex parte filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The agency accused the nightclub of being used for drug-related activities, including the storage and distribution of illegal substances.
The club, located at No. 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, was one of the busiest spots in Lagos’s nightlife scene before the court’s intervention.
Justice Kakaki granted the NDLEA’s request to take custody of the property pending the completion of its ongoing investigation into the alleged offences. The case, filed under Suit No. FHC/L/MISC/1161/2025, lists Pretty Mike and one Joachim Hillary as respondents.
The NDLEA’s counsel, Barrister Buhari Abdullahi, moved the motion on behalf of the agency. He argued that the nightclub was being used as an “instrumentality of drug dealing and abuse,” and urged the court to grant an interim forfeiture order in line with Nigerian law.
According to Abdullahi, the application was brought under the NDLEA Act Cap N30 of the Laws of the Federation, 2004, and Section 44(2)(k) of the 1999 Constitution. He also relied on the provisions of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, which allow for such orders when a property is suspected to be linked to criminal activity.
The lawyer’s motion requested two main reliefs:
An order of interim forfeiture of the nightclub in favour of the Federal Government and in the custody of the NDLEA; and
An order suspending all activities of Proxy Lagos Night Club pending the conclusion of investigations.
Abdullahi explained that NDLEA operatives recovered 169 cylinders (384.662 kilograms) of Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as Laughing Gas, and 200 grams of Cannabis Sativa from the club during a raid. He told the court that the property was being used to organize a large-scale “drug party,” prompting the agency’s swift intervention.
After reviewing the motion and the accompanying 22-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Nasiru Garba Bungudu, Justice Kakaki ruled that the application had merit and granted the NDLEA’s prayers.
The judge ordered that the nightclub be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government and placed under NDLEA custody. He also directed that all activities at the property be suspended pending further court decisions.
The case was adjourned to January 28, 2026, for a report on the progress of the NDLEA’s investigation.
According to the affidavit submitted to the court, NDLEA operatives received intelligence in October 2025 about an upcoming “drug party” being organized at Proxy Lagos Night Club.
The agency alleged that Pretty Mike, the owner, and Joachim Hillary, a staff member, had been storing large quantities of Nitrous Oxide and Cannabis in preparation for the event. Surveillance teams reportedly confirmed the planned party, scheduled for midnight on October 26, 2025, before executing a raid.
During the operation, NDLEA officers discovered the large consignment of Laughing Gas and Cannabis Sativa, and arrested more than 200 people, including the two respondents.
The affidavit stated that tests conducted on the seized substances confirmed them to be illegal drugs. The NDLEA said Hillary had been involved in the sale and distribution of these substances at the club for a long time, allegedly with the knowledge and approval of the owner.
The NDLEA described the nightclub as a “facility used for storage, concealment, and sale of narcotic drugs,” which made it subject to forfeiture under Nigerian law.
Under Nigeria’s anti-drug laws, any property found to be used for drug trafficking or illegal drug storage can be temporarily or permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Sections 31 to 36 of the NDLEA Act empower the agency to seize and take custody of such properties while investigations or prosecutions are ongoing. The purpose, according to legal experts, is to prevent suspects from tampering with evidence or continuing illegal activities.
In this case, NDLEA’s lawyer told the court that it was “statutorily and procedurally necessary” to obtain an interim forfeiture order before concluding the investigation.
He said, “There is need to vest proper custody of the property in the Agency pending the conclusion of investigation into drug activities carried out at the club.”
The NDLEA maintained that the forfeiture was a temporary measure designed to protect public interest and ensure that justice is served.
The seizure highlights the NDLEA’s growing crackdown on the use and sale of Nitrous Oxide, also known as Laughing Gas, in Nigerian nightlife scenes.
Although the gas has legitimate industrial and medical uses, it has become increasingly popular as a recreational substance in clubs and parties, especially among young people. When inhaled, it can cause short-lived euphoria, dizziness, and hallucinations. However, prolonged use can lead to brain damage, suffocation, and even death.
In 2023, the NDLEA declared the abuse of Nitrous Oxide illegal under the NDLEA Act, describing it as a “dangerous psychoactive substance.” The agency warned club owners, event organizers, and individuals against using or distributing it.
Since then, NDLEA has conducted several raids across major Nigerian cities, seizing large quantities of the gas and arresting suppliers. The Proxy Lagos Night Club case is the latest and most high-profile example of this ongoing enforcement campaign.
As of press time, Pretty Mike has not issued an official statement in response to the court order or the NDLEA’s allegations. The flamboyant socialite is well known in Lagos for his lavish lifestyle, eccentric fashion, and frequent appearances at high-profile events.
Over the years, he has attracted controversy for his unusual public displays, including arriving at parties with women on leashes or dressed in themed costumes. Despite his controversial reputation, Pretty Mike has maintained a strong presence on social media and in Lagos’s entertainment industry.
His nightclub, Proxy Lagos, was considered one of the top nightlife destinations on Victoria Island, often hosting celebrities, influencers, and socialites. The recent development, however, has cast a shadow over his business and public image.
The case is now pending before the Federal High Court, with the NDLEA expected to present its investigation report by January 2026. If the court is satisfied with the agency’s findings, the interim forfeiture could be converted into a final forfeiture order, which would permanently transfer ownership of the property to the Federal Government.
For now, Proxy Lagos Night Club remains sealed, and all its operations suspended. The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to tackling drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria, warning that no individual or business is above the law.
