Court Discharges Pretty Mike in Drug-Related Case

On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi discharged popular nightclub owner Mike Nwali, known as Pretty Mike, and his club supervisor Joachim Hillari from drug-related charges. Justice Ambrose Lewis Alagoa upheld a no-case submission filed by the defense, stating that the prosecution, led by the NDLEA, failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.

They were arraigned on three counts, including conspiracy and unlawful possession of drugs, following a raid on Pretty Mike's nightclub in Victoria Island on October 26, where the NDLEA claimed to have recovered 169 cylinders of nitrous oxide and 200 grams of cannabis sativa. The prosecution alleged that the substances were intended for use at illegal drug parties.

However, defense counsel Chikaosolu Ojukwu argued that the evidence presented was weak and did not directly connect the defendants to the alleged offenses. The court agreed, ruling that the prosecution's case amounted to mere suspicion, thus discharging both defendants and ending the criminal proceedings at the preliminary stage.