Lagos socialite and owner of Proxy Nightclub, Mike Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike, has alleged that the raid on his club by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in October 2025 cost him over N3bn in losses.
Recall that over 100 suspects, including Pretty Mike, were arrested during a raid on Proxy nightclub after intelligence reports alleged that flyers had been circulated to promote a “drug party.”
During the operation, cartons of illicit substances, including a strain of cannabis sativa, popularly called “loud” and laughing gas, were reportedly recovered from suspects and from the club’s store.
The NDLEA later filed a forfeiture suit against the nightclub, while Pretty Mike and the club’s supervisor, Joachim Hillary, were arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession and permitting the use of club premises for illegal drug activities. He was subsequently granted N50m bail by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Speaking on the financial impact of the incident, Pretty Mike said, “I lost a lot. Easily over two or three billion naira in losses.
“First, on the actual raid night, we lost money immediately because customers did not pay. There was destruction everywhere. Furniture was damaged, doors were broken, equipment got destroyed.
“Then the club remained shut for nine months. Anybody familiar with the nightlife business knows what an average nightclub generates monthly, especially during peak periods.
“After that came the legal fees. I had a strong legal team handling the matter, and that did not come cheap.
“Then, there was the cost of rebuilding and restoring the business. We had to renovate, repair damages and rebrand the space to restore people’s confidence in the club.”
Speaking on changes made after the incident, he added, “We brought in new equipment, changed the interior completely, replaced furniture, upgraded the lighting and sound systems, and introduced new acts and experiences.
“What Proxy has always been known for is theatrics and unique experiences. There is always something different happening every night.”
The entrepreneur also revealed the inspiration behind many of his controversial stunts, stating that most of the ideas come to him through what he described as divine inspiration.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, he said, “Honestly, some of them feel divine. I do not have a creative team sitting down to plan these things. Sometimes I just wake up with an idea.
“Take the pregnant women stunt, for example. That idea came to me suddenly one morning. I know people saw it as just another stunt, but every stunt teaches me something and carries a lesson.
“When I met the pregnant women, I discovered many of them had heartbreaking stories. Some had been abandoned by their partners. Some had been rejected by their families. Some had not even attended antenatal care despite being six or seven months pregnant at the time. That experience changed my perspective completely.
“I realised that society discriminates heavily against pregnant women, whether consciously or unconsciously. Some of those women feel abandoned and isolated. Society makes them see their pregnancy as a burden. That experience taught me empathy.”
The entertainer also stated that contrary to public perception, he never informs event hosts beforehand about any stunt he intends to pull at their gatherings, adding that many of them are already familiar with his personality and are rarely surprised by his actions.
According to him, some people even try to pay him to make dramatic appearances at their events, though he rarely accepts such offers.
“First of all, I have never informed event hosts or planners ahead of time about my stunts. The surprise element is part of what makes them work.
“Most of the events where I do these stunts are hosted by very close friends of mine, not random people. Sometimes, people even expect me to do something dramatic and feel disappointed if I arrive quietly.
“As for the criticism, I understand it. But I also see stunts as entertainment and performance art.
“There is really no limit to what I can spend on a stunt because, to me, it is part of having fun and creating an experience. Some people spend money travelling or partying. I channel mine into creative expressions.”
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