The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa (retd.), has disclosed that the agency has filed a forfeiture suit against a Lagos nightclub owned by socialite Mike Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike.

The agency had on Sunday raided a drug party held at Proxy Night Club, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where operatives arrested over 100 attendees, including the club owner and his manager, Joachin Milary.

The NDLEA said the operation followed intelligence that the organisers had circulated flyers inviting people to what was described as a “drug party.”

In an update issued on Tuesday, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said undercover operatives infiltrated the club, made pre-purchases of illicit drugs, and monitored activities for about four hours before storming the premises between 11 p.m. on Saturday and 3 a.m. on Sunday.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Unveils Digital Platform For Drug Integrity Test, Visa Clearance Certificate

Babafemi said operatives recovered 384.886 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, and other illicit substances from the club’s storage area.

Speaking during the NDLEA’s annual commendation and award ceremony in Abuja, where 15 senior officers were decorated with new ranks and several personnel recognised for outstanding performance, Marwa said the forfeiture suit followed the raid after the club owner “brazenly advertised” a drug party, openly encouraging patrons to indulge in drugs.

According to him, the agency will not allow a culture of impunity to take root in the entertainment sector or any part of the country.

“In Nigeria, the possession and use of drugs in persons or premises is illegal. It is against the law, and we are the drug law enforcement agency to enforce the law.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Busts Cartel, Recovers ₦6.4bn Drugs From Kingpins

“We will not allow a culture of impunity such as this to evolve in Nigeria. If you allow one, give it two or three weeks and every nightclub in the country will invite people to come and have a drug party. We will not allow it,” he said.

Marwa warned club owners, hoteliers and facility managers nationwide that their buildings risk being seized if they are used for drug-related activities.

“All club owners, hoteliers and the like should be aware that the risk is the forfeiture of their properties if they are used for perpetrating criminal drug activities. And we will definitely make an example with this particular club in Lagos,” he added.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests Wanted Lagos Pastor For Cross-border Drug Trafficking

Marwa also highlighted the agency’s achievements in the last 30 months, stating that the NDLEA recorded 45,853 arrests, seized over 8.5 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs, secured 9,263 convictions, and rehabilitated 26,613 drug users.

He said the agency conducted 9,848 War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns nationwide within the same period.

Marwa said, “In the past 30 months, on our two major plans of drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction, leading to 45,853 arrests. Seizure of over 8.5 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs and conviction of 9,263 offenders, with 26,613 drug users counselled and rehabilitated in our treatment facilities spread across the country, while a total of 9,848 war against drug abuse sensitisation activities were conducted in schools, workplaces, markets, motorparks, churches, mosques, and communities, among others, during the same period.”

While commending officers for their dedication despite risks and temptations, Marwa said the agency’s reward and recognition system has strengthened morale and improved operational outcomes.

…Relocate office of Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative

After backlash for granting a presidential pardon to Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, President Bola Tinubu has revoked the pardon and reversed her sentence to 12 years.

This was revealed in an official gazette released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.

According to the gazette, Sanda, who had already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, will now spend approximately six additional years in jail after getting an approved term on compassionate grounds.

It read, “Maryam Sanda, whose offence was culpable homicide, sentenced on 27/01/2020 with death by hanging, has served six years and eight months at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Suleja will now serve 12 years based on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of the children and good conduct, embraced a new lifestyle, model prisoner and remorsefulness.”

READ ALSO:FULL LIST: 175 Beneficiaries Of Tinubu’s Pardons

In the gazette titled “reduced terms”, the explanatory note stressed that the beneficiaries whose names were listed therein were in pursuance of section 175 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The beneficiaries included 37-year-old Sanda, Harunah Isah (35), Mamman Ibrahim (50), Sanusi Adamu (28), Sadi Musa 20, Sabiyu Aliyu, Halliru Sani (18), and 79 others.

Corroborating the gazette in a press statement, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said the presidential pardon earlier released that granted Sanda and others clemency has been reviewed following consultations with the Council of State.

Fagbemi added that the President received concerns on the recommended list and consequently initiated a due process review.

The statement partly read, “It is to be recalled that following consultations with the Council of State, the President received concerns on the recommended list and consequently initiated a due process review. This exercise has been completed and approved by the President. This exercise was to ensure that only persons who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit from the prerogative of mercy.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tinubu’s Minister Resigns Amid Allegations

“During this final review, few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise.

“This exercise underscores the President’s desire to balance justice with compassion and the belief that justice must not only punish, but also reform and redeem. The review was undertaken with meticulous commitment to due process to reinforce the administration’s broader commitment to justice reform and humane correctional practices in line with international standards.”

The Minister of Justice further said that President Tinubu has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

“To ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

“The President has further directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Grants Presidential Pardon To Herbert Macaulay, 174 Others

“This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release,” the statement added.

The PUNCH reports that Tinubu granted Sanda a pardon because her family pleaded for her release, arguing that it was in the best interest of her two children.

The pardon was part of a larger decision to grant clemency to 175 Nigerians and foreigners, including notable figures such as the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, Major General Mamman Vatsa, and other members of the “Ogoni Nine”.

However, the pardon was greeted by a backlash from opposition parties and political figures, including the African Democratic Congress and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who condemned Tinubu’s decision to grant presidential pardons to dozens of convicted criminals, including drug traffickers, describing the move as a grave setback to Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign and a dangerous affront to justice and morality.

(PUNCH)

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to secure a total of $2.347bn from the international capital market to part-finance the 2025 budget deficit and refinance maturing Eurobonds.

The approval followed the consideration and adoption of a report presented by the House Committee on Aids, Loans, and Debt Management, chaired by Hon. Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Since assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has secured substantial external financing to support government programmes and fiscal operations.

Between May 2023 and May 2025, Nigeria obtained approximately $7.2bn in external loans from the World Bank, aimed at bolstering key economic reforms and development initiatives. In addition, the government received approval for a $1 billion facility from the African Development Bank, expected to be disbursed between 2024 and 2025.

READ ALSO:Reps Move To Regulate Cryptocurrency, POS Operations

Further strengthening its external financing portfolio, the House of Representatives in October 2025 approved a new borrowing plan, including $1.23bn to part-finance the 2025 budget and a $500m debut Sovereign Sukuk to be issued in the international capital market.

These financing initiatives form part of the administration’s broader strategy to bridge budget deficits, refinance maturing debts, and stimulate economic growth through targeted investments.

According to the committee’s report, “The new borrowing plan comprises $1.23bn to fund the 2025 budget deficit and $1.12bn to refinance Nigeria’s Eurobond maturing in November 2025.”

The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the Committee on Supply where the report was considered, put the request before the House at plenary.

READ ALSO:Reps Move To Regulate Cryptocurrency, POS Operations

“The Committee on Supply considered the request of Mr President and made these recommendations. Do we accept these recommendations,” he asked, to which members replied in the affirmative.

Adopting the recommendations of the committee, the House authorised the Federal Government to “Implement the external borrowing component of the 2025 Appropriation Act amounting to ₦1.84tn (approximately $1.23bn) at the budget exchange rate of ₦1,500 to $1.”

Lawmakers also approved for the government to access the loans through Eurobond issuance, loan syndication, bridge financing facilities, or direct borrowing from international financial institutions.

In addition, the House endorsed President Tinubu’s proposal to issue Nigeria’s first-ever Sovereign Sukuk bond of up to $500m in the international capital market, with or without a credit guarantee.

Recall that President Tinubu, in his earlier correspondence to the National Assembly, explained that the borrowing plan was necessary to bridge the gap between projected revenue and expenditure in the 2025 fiscal year and to enable the government to meet its debt obligations as they fall due.