Pretty Mike May Lose Club As NDLEA Files Forfeiture Case

By Adesina Soyooye

Lagos Socialite, Mike Nwogu, stands the risk of losing his Nightclub, Proxy, to the Federal Government.

This is because Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, rtd,  Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, revealed that the agency has filed a forfeiture suit him.

Trouble started for him when

the agency, on Sunday, raided a drug party held at Proxy Night Club, owned by Pretty Mike, located at  Victoria Island, Lagos.

During the raid, NDLEA operatives arrested over 100 attendees, including Pretty Mike owner and his manager, Joachin Milary.

According to the NDLEA, the operation stemmed from intelligence that the organisers circulated flyers with which they  invited people to  “drug party.”

NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that undercover operatives infiltrated the club, and made pre-purchases of illicit drugs. While there, they  monitored activities for about four hours after which they stormed the premises between 11 p.m. on Saturday and 3 a.m. on Sunday.

He said the Operatives made a big haul of  384.886 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, and other illicit substances from the club’s storage area.

Marwa who spoke during Agency’s  annual commendation and award ceremony in Abuja, where 15 senior officers were decorated with new ranks and several personnel recognised for outstanding performance, said the forfeiture suit stemmed from the raid after the club owner “brazenly advertised” a drug party, thus openly encouraging patrons to indulge in drugs.

According to Marwa, the NDLEA “will not allow a culture of impunity to take root in the entertainment sector or any part of the country.

“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.

“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.”