The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday arraigned popular Lagos socialite and entertainer Mike Nwalie, better known as Pretty Mike, on allegations of drug-related offences.
Nwalie, who owns Proxy Lagos Night Club, was charged alongside the club’s supervisor, Joachim Hillary, 32. The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), through the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), brought a three-count charge against them, bordering on conspiracy, possession, and permitting the use of the club premises for illegal drug activities.
According to the charge, dated October 30, 2025, the alleged offences took place on or about October 26, 2025, at Proxy Night Club, located at No. 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The prosecution claimed that Nwalie knowingly allowed the premises to be used for a drug party and drug dealing, an act contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the NDLEA Act.
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Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following their plea, NDLEA counsel Buhari Abdullahi requested a trial date.
However, defence counsel Dr. B. S. Awosika (SAN) informed the court of a pending bail application, urging the court to grant bail on liberal terms. Awosika argued that his clients had no prior criminal records and that the prosecution bore the burden of showing why bail should be denied.
In opposition, Abdullahi maintained that the defendants had not provided sufficient grounds for bail and instead urged the court to deny the application and order an accelerated trial.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa held that the prosecution bears the burden of proving why bail should be refused, emphasising that the defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty. The judge noted that the purpose of bail is to ensure a defendant’s attendance in court, not to serve as punishment.
Consequently, Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted bail to each defendant in the sum of ₦50 million, with two responsible sureties in like sum. The sureties are required to swear to an affidavit of means, while the defendants are to remain in the custody of their counsel pending fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to January 14, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
