Buba Marwa (retd.), the Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has disclosed that the agency has initiated a forfeiture lawsuit against proxy night club owned by socialite Mike Nwogu, widely recognized as Pretty Mike.
On Sunday, the agency conducted a raid on a drug party taking place at Proxy Night Club, situated at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, resulting in the arrest of over 100 attendees, including the club’s proprietor and his manager, Joachin Milary. The NDLEA stated that the operation was initiated based on intelligence received regarding the distribution of flyers inviting guests to what was termed a “drug party.”
In an update released on Tuesday, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, reported that undercover agents infiltrated the club, made preliminary purchases of illicit substances, and monitored activities for nearly four hours before launching the operation between 11 p.m. on Saturday and 3 a.m. on Sunday.
Babafemi noted that agents seized 384.886 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a highly potent strain of cannabis, along with other illegal items from the club’s storeroom. During the NDLEA’s annual recognition and awards event in Abuja, where 15 senior officials were promoted and various personnel were honored for exceptional contributions, Marwa remarked that the forfeiture lawsuit stemmed from the raid after the club owner “blatantly promoted” a drug party, openly encouraging guests to partake in drug use.
He emphasized that the agency will not permit a culture of impunity to flourish within the entertainment industry or any region of the nation.
In Nigeria, the possession and consumption of drugs by individuals or within establishments is illegal. It contravenes the law, and we are the agency responsible for drug law enforcement.“We will not permit such a culture of lawlessness to evolve in Nigeria. If we allow one instance, in two or three weeks every nightclub in the nation will invite people to partake in drug parties. We will not stand for it,” he asserted.
Marwa cautioned nightclub owners, hoteliers, and facility managers throughout the country that their properties may be seized if utilized for drug-related activities. “All club owners, hoteliers, and similar operators should recognize that they face the risk of property forfeiture if their venues are used for conducting criminal drug activities. We will undoubtedly set a precedent with this particular nightclub in Lagos,” he added.