A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted popular nightclub owner and entertainer, Mike Nwalie, widely known as Pretty Mike, N50m bail following his arraignment on drug-related charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The nightclub supervisor, 32-year-old Joachim Hillary, was also granted bail on the same terms.
Both men were arraigned on Thursday before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession of drugs, and permitting the use of the club premises for narcotics-related activities.
The federal government, acting through the NDLEA, alleged that the offences occurred on or about October 26, 2025, at Proxy Lagos Night Club on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island.
According to the prosecution counsel, Buhari Abdullahi, the defendants conspired to organise a drug party within the nightclub premises.
During a raid, NDLEA operatives reportedly recovered 200 grams of Cannabis Sativa and 177 cylinders of nitrous oxide—commonly known as laughing gas—bringing the total seized substance to 364.662 kilograms.
The second defendant, Hillary, was specifically accused of possessing cannabis without lawful authority the previous day.
Pretty Mike, aged 45, was further accused of knowingly allowing his club to be used for drug-related gatherings, an offence punishable under Sections 12, 14(b) and 20(2)(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
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Following the pleas, the prosecutor applied for a trial date, insisting that the defendants had not provided sufficient grounds to be considered for bail.
However, the defence counsel, Dr B.S. Awosika (SAN), urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that the two men had no prior criminal records and would present themselves for trial when required.
In his ruling, Justice Lewis-Allagoa affirmed that the defendants remained presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
He held that the prosecution had not demonstrated compelling reasons to deny bail and granted each man N50m bail, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties are required to swear to an affidavit of means.
The judge also ordered that the defendants be released to their counsel pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned to January 14, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
