Court grants Pretty Mike ₦50m bail over drug offences

A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted ₦50 million bail to Lagos socialite and nightclub owner Mike Nwalie, popularly known as Pretty Mike, following his arraignment for alleged drug-related offences.

Pretty Mike, owner of Proxy Lagos Nightclub, was arraigned alongside the club’s supervisor, Joachim Hillary (32), by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on Thursday.

The duo faces a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful drug possession, and allowing the use of the nightclub for drug activities.

According to the prosecution, the offences occurred around October 26, 2025, at the club located on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

NDLEA operatives reportedly recovered 200 grams of Cannabis Sativa and 177 cylinders of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) weighing 364.66 kilograms.

Hillary was also accused of being in possession of Cannabis Sativa a day earlier, while Pretty Mike allegedly permitted drug use within his premises — offences said to violate Sections 14(b) and 20(1)(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Their counsel, Dr. B.S. Awosika (SAN), urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that the defendants had no prior criminal records and were not flight risks.

However, the NDLEA prosecutor, Buhari Abdullahi, opposed the application, calling for an accelerated trial.

In his ruling, Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted each defendant ₦50 million bail with two sureties in like sum, who must swear to an affidavit of means.

He ordered that the defendants be temporarily released to their counsel pending fulfilment of the bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to January 14, 2026, for trial commencement.