The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday arraigned Lagos socialite Mike Nwalie, popularly known as Pretty Mike, before Justice Ambrose Alagoa of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged drug-related offences.
Pretty Mike, owner of Proxy Lagos Nightclub in Victoria Island, Lagos, was arraigned alongside the club’s manager, Joachim Hillary, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, illegal possession of hard drugs, and knowingly allowing the club premises to be used for illegal drug activities.
The NDLEA alleged that the offences occurred on or around October 26, 2025, at the nightclub located at No. 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island. Prosecutor Buhari Abdullahi told the court that the defendants allegedly organised a drug party during which the agency recovered a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 200 grams of Cannabis Sativa and 177 cylinders of Nitrous Oxide (commonly called ‘laughing gas’), weighing a total of 364.662 kilograms.
The second count, targeting Hillary alone, accused him of possessing 200 grams of Cannabis Sativa on or about October 25, 2025, without lawful authority. This, the prosecution said, violated Sections 20(1)(c) and 20(2)(b) of the NDLEA Act.
The third count, against Pretty Mike in his capacity as proprietor of the nightclub, alleged that he allowed the premises to be used for drug-related activities, contrary to Section 12 of the NDLEA Act.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Following their pleas, Abdullahi requested a trial date. Defense counsel Dada Awosika, SAN, submitted bail applications, arguing that the defendants had no prior criminal records and urging the court to grant bail on liberal terms.
Abdullahi opposed the bail, contending that the defendants had not demonstrated sufficient grounds to justify release and urged for an expedited trial.
In his ruling, Justice Alagoa emphasized that the prosecution bears the burden of proving why bail should be denied and affirmed that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. He granted bail of N50 million each, with two responsible sureties in like sum, directing the sureties to provide affidavits of means.
The defendants were released to their counsel pending fulfillment of the bail conditions. The trial was adjourned to January 14, 2026.