Pretty Mike Reopens Nightclub Months After NDLEA Raid, Arrest

Mike Nwogu, a Lagos socialite and nightclub owner popularly known as ‘Pretty Mike’, has announced the reopening of his nightclub, Proxy Lagos, nearly seven months after it was raided by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with attendant arrests.

In a video shared on Instagram on Tuesday, Pretty Mike opened up about the emotional and professional challenges he faced following the raid and his arrest alongside workers, which also coincided with the loss of his father.

“Hello everyone, hope you are doing fine. It’s been a minute since I’ve been on this space. I believe you all know there comes a moment in life when everything should actually just come to a pulse or an end,” he said.

He went on to speak about the grief of losing his father, whom he described as his hero, stating, “For me, that moment was burying my father, my hero.

“Beyond the lights, the camera, the grand entrance, I’m still human and that event just broke me in ways that I’m still learning or trying to understand. I came back to Hill to rebuild Proxy Lagos, my dream, my passion, my hustle, my vision.”

Reflecting on the aftermath of the raid, he described its far-reaching impact on his business and those connected to it.

“Here’s that I walked into a storm, the raid, a nightmare, an emotional earthquake that shook my team, my family, my partners, my world, my staff, my clients, Lagos as a whole, my name dragged, my brand smeared, doors shut on me.

“But this is what I’ve learned. There is a God. Pain doesn’t define you. Storm doesn’t end you. Setback doesn’t define your destiny.”

He said the reopening represented more than a business restart, but a shared recovery with those who stood by him.

“Proxy has been cleared to reopen. Now I need you. Proxy is more than a nightclub. It’s a culture. It’s a vibe. It’s where Lagos comes alive. If you celebrated with us, built with us, believed in us, stood with us, this is the comeback. This is me and you rebuilding our brand.

”This is rising after grief. Let’s take these announcements louder than the silence they have tried to impose. Let’s make this stronger than the pain. Help me put back smile on people’s faces. Proxy Lagos is here.”

In the caption accompanying the video, he reflected on the period of silence and expressed appreciation to those who supported him.

“Seven months ago, my world fell apart. From the pain of losing my father to the crushing blow that hit my business, #Proxylagos it’s been a season of heavy silence.

“But I am returning today with a heart full of gratitude. To everyone who checked on me and kept me in your prayers during my lowest moments thank you for not letting me go. I am back, blessed, and rebuilding,” the caption read.

The raid by the NDLEA, which took place in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 2025, resulted in the arrest of more than 100 guests, including Pretty Mike and former Big Brother Naija housemate Tuoyo Ideh. The agency said cartons of banned substances, including Loud and laughing gas, were recovered at the venue.

Subsequently, the NDLEA filed a forfeiture suit against Proxy Lagos. Pretty Mike and the club’s supervisor, Joachim Hillary, were later arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession, and allowing the premises to be used for illegal drug activities. He was, however, granted bail in the sum of N50 million by the Federal High Court in Lagos.