The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa (retd.), has confirmed that the agency has filed a forfeiture suit against Proxy Night Club, a popular Lagos establishment owned by socialite Mike Nwogu, also known as Pretty Mike.
This action follows a raid conducted by NDLEA operatives on Sunday at the club, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
During the operation, more than 100 individuals were arrested, including the club owner and his manager, Joachin Milary.
The NDLEA said that the raid was carried out after receiving intelligence that the nightclub had advertised a “drug party” through flyers, which encouraged patrons to indulge in illegal substances.
According to Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, undercover operatives infiltrated the club prior to the raid, purchasing illicit drugs and observing activities for approximately four hours. The operation, which took place between 11 p.m. on Saturday and 3 a.m. on Sunday, resulted in the seizure of 384.886 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, along with other illegal substances from the club’s storage area.
During the NDLEA’s annual commendation and award ceremony in Abuja, where 15 senior officers were promoted, Marwa addressed the agency’s actions. He stated that the forfeiture suit was a direct response to the club owner’s open promotion of the drug party, which he described as a blatant disregard for the law.
Marwa emphasized that the NDLEA would not tolerate any attempts to normalize drug use within Nigeria’s entertainment sector or anywhere in 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,” Marwa stated. He added that the agency would not permit a culture of impunity to take hold, warning that if left unchecked, similar events could become commonplace across the nation.
Marwa also issued a stern warning to club owners, hoteliers, and facility managers across the country, cautioning them that their properties could be seized if used for drug-related activities. “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,” he said. “And we will definitely make an example with this particular club in Lagos.”
In addition to the recent raid, Marwa highlighted the NDLEA’s significant achievements over the past 30 months. These included 45,853 arrests, the seizure of over 8.5 million kilograms of illicit drugs, 9,263 convictions, and the rehabilitation of 26,613 drug users. The agency also carried out 9,848 War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns across schools, workplaces, markets, and communities nationwide.
Marwa expressed pride in the dedication of NDLEA officers, despite the risks and challenges they face. He credited the agency’s reward and recognition system for boosting morale and improving operational outcomes.
