The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa (retd.), has announced that the agency has instituted a forfeiture case against Proxy Night Club, owned by Lagos socialite Mike Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike.
The legal action follows a weekend raid by NDLEA operatives on the nightclub, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where over 100 individuals — including the club owner and his manager, Joachin Milary — were arrested during a “drug party.”
According to the NDLEA, the operation was prompted by intelligence that the organisers had distributed flyers openly inviting attendees to a drug-themed event.
In an update on Tuesday, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed that undercover officers had infiltrated the venue, purchased illicit substances beforehand, and monitored activities for about four hours before executing the raid between 11 p.m. on Saturday and 3 a.m. on Sunday.
He disclosed that operatives recovered 384.886 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a high-grade strain of cannabis, alongside other narcotics from the club’s storage area.
Speaking during the NDLEA’s annual commendation and award ceremony in Abuja, where 15 senior officers were promoted and several recognised for excellence, Marwa said the forfeiture suit became necessary after the club owner “brazenly advertised” a drug party that encouraged public consumption of narcotics.
He stressed that the agency would not permit impunity or lawlessness to thrive in the entertainment sector.
“In Nigeria, the possession and use of drugs in persons or premises is illegal. It is against the law, and we are the drug law enforcement agency to enforce the law.
“We will not allow a culture of impunity such as this to evolve in Nigeria. If you allow one, give it two or three weeks and every nightclub in the country will invite people to come and have a drug party. We will not allow it,” he said.
Marwa also issued a stern warning to club owners, hotel operators, and facility managers nationwide, cautioning that any premises linked to drug offences risk permanent seizure.
“All club owners, hoteliers and the like should be aware that the risk is the forfeiture of their properties if they are used for perpetrating criminal drug activities. And we will definitely make an example with this particular club in Lagos,” he added.
Highlighting the agency’s progress over the last 30 months, Marwa disclosed that the NDLEA had arrested 45,853 suspects, seized over 8.5 million kilogrammes of various illicit drugs, secured 9,263 convictions, and rehabilitated 26,613 drug users.
He said the agency also carried out 9,848 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns nationwide.
Marwa stated, “In the past 30 months, on our two major plans of drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction, leading to 45,853 arrests. Seizure of over 8.5 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs and conviction of 9,263 offenders, with 26,613 drug users counselled and rehabilitated in our treatment facilities spread across the country, while a total of 9,848 war against drug abuse sensitisation activities were conducted in schools, workplaces, markets, motorparks, churches, mosques, and communities, among others, during the same period.”
He praised NDLEA personnel for their commitment in the face of challenges, noting that the agency’s reward system has helped boost morale and improve results.
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