- Ruggedman, has been taken into police custody in Lagos.
- Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu confirmed Ruggedman’s detention.
- Ruggedman is currently held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba.
The Nigerian music community was thrown into confusion following reports that veteran rapper Ruggedman has been taken into police custody in Lagos.
Harrison Gwamnishu, a human rights activist and associate of the rapper, revealed that Ruggedman, whose real name is Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, is currently held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba.
In an Instagram post shared on Thursday, May 22, Gwamnishu claimed that the detention was ordered by a Deputy Commissioner of Police and related to unresolved matters concerning the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
His post read:
“@ruggedybaba is currently detained at State SCID Panti on the instructions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police over PMAN issues. No proper investigation has been conducted. He and others are being maltreated. I wish to draw the attention of Nigerians to what is going on.”
The arrest provoked immediate reactions online, with many users condemning what they saw as an abuse of power.
Some speculated that Ruggedman’s arrest might be linked to his recent public dispute with controversial activist Verydarkman (VDM).
GistLover recalls that Ruggedman had recently criticized VDM’s style of activism, saying it had become unnecessarily aggressive despite originally starting with commendable efforts against unregulated products.
See the post here:
See some comments below:
@wicked_abavoboy:“Other nations go think Nigeria na we be Giant Of Africa.”
@lawdharry69:“Shabi the Ruggedman follow dey yan say VDM isn’t doing it in a proper way, na the same system don jam am. You see this typical black man can never learn from history.”
@jamnaija:“Haba naw. He has an event on the 24th of this month oh.”
@sparkels1218:“Investigations are done before arrest in a normal system, but Nigeria is always the opposite.”
@ezehpat:“What kind of nonsense is this for goodness’ sake? What kind of lawless country is this?”
@iam_oje_official:“This same Ruggedman when dey insult VDM. You see this country? E go reach everybody. This na pure abuse of power!”