A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has discharged nightclub owner Pretty Mike and his associate, Joachim Hillary, over allegations related to drug offences.
Delivering the ruling on April 15, 2026, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Alagoa upheld a no-case submission filed by the defence, effectively bringing the trial to an early end.
The defendants had been prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on charges including conspiracy, unlawful possession of controlled substances, and allegedly permitting drug-related activities at a nightclub in Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the prosecution, a raid carried out on October 26 led to the recovery of nitrous oxide canisters and a quantity of cannabis, which authorities claimed were intended for illegal use during a party. The agency also sought forfeiture of the premises, describing it as linked to criminal activity.
However, defence counsel argued that the prosecution failed to establish any direct connection between the accused and the substances in question. The court was told that the evidence presented lacked credibility and did not meet the legal threshold required to sustain the charges.
In his decision, Justice Alagoa agreed that the case lacked sufficient proof. He ruled that the prosecution had not established a prima facie case and therefore discharged both defendants without requiring them to present a defence.
The ruling brings the case to a close at the preliminary stage.
