Corruption

Proxy Club Scandal:Pretty Mike, Supervisor Get N50m Bail Each

Helen Okoro 1 week ago 3 min read

By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro

Popular Lagos socialite and nightlife promoter, Mike Nwalie—better known as Pretty Mike—has been granted bail in the sum of N50 million by a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Nwalie, the owner of Proxy Lagos Night Club, was arraigned alongside the club’s supervisor, 32-year-old Joachim Hillary, on Thursday, following allegations of conspiracy, possession of narcotics, and allowing the use of his club for drug-related activities.

The duo was charged by the Federal Government through the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa. Both men pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge filed against them.

According to the charge sheet dated October 30, 2025, the alleged offences took place on or about October 26, 2025, at Proxy Lagos, located at No. 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island.

Drug Party Allegations

In the first count, the NDLEA accused Pretty Mike and Hillary of conspiring to organise a “drug party” at the nightclub. During a raid by operatives, the agency claimed to have recovered 200 grams of Cannabis Sativa and 177 cylinders of Nitrous Oxide (commonly known as laughing gas), weighing a total of 364.662 kilograms. The NDLEA described the substances as “harmful and commonly abused,” adding that their possession and distribution breached Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

In the second count, Hillary was charged with unlawful possession of the Cannabis Sativa without lawful authority—an offence contrary to Section 20(1)(c) and punishable under Section 20(2)(b) of the same Act.

The third count focused on Nwalie himself, alleging that as the proprietor and occupier of Proxy Lagos, he knowingly permitted the use of the premises for the consumption and sale of narcotics, contrary to Section 12 of the NDLEA Act.

Courtroom Drama and Bail Application

Following their plea of not guilty, NDLEA counsel, Buhari Abdullahi, requested a date for trial, while defence counsel, Dr. B.S. Awosika (SAN), immediately moved an application for bail.

Awosika argued that both defendants were reputable individuals with fixed addresses and no prior criminal records. He urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, noting that the defendants had voluntarily submitted themselves to the NDLEA during investigations.

Opposing the motion, Abdullahi argued that the defendants failed to present compelling reasons for bail and urged the court to deny their application, suggesting instead that the case be set for accelerated hearing.

After listening to both parties, Justice Lewis-Allagoa ruled in favour of the defence. The judge held that the prosecution had not presented sufficient grounds to deny bail, reiterating that the accused persons are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

“The court is guided by the principle that bail is not a matter of punishment but a means of ensuring that the defendants appear for trial,” the judge said.

Bail Conditions and Next Steps

Justice Lewis-Allagoa consequently granted bail to Pretty Mike and Hillary in the sum of N50 million each, with two responsible sureties in like sum. The sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, and the defendants are to remain in the custody of their counsel pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The court adjourned the matter until January 14, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

The NDLEA’s case against Pretty Mike comes barely a week after the same court approved an interim forfeiture of Proxy Lagos Night Club, following a raid that reportedly uncovered narcotics and led to multiple arrests.

The ruling has stirred mixed reactions across Lagos’s social scene, where Pretty Mike, known for his flamboyant lifestyle and controversial public appearances, remains a polarising figure. As the case heads to trial, the spotlight once again falls on Nigeria’s nightlife industry—and the growing scrutiny of its connection to illicit drug activities.