Popular Nigerian rapper and social activist, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, widely known as Ruggedman, has been reportedly arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, in Lagos State.
Sources reveal that his arrest is linked to issues surrounding the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), the musicians’ union he has long been active in.
The situation has sparked widespread concern among civil rights activists, many of whom view it as an act of state intimidation against outspoken figures in the entertainment industry.
Human rights advocate, Harrison Gwamnishu, revealed the development via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that Ruggedman and others are being held without a proper investigation.
“@RuggedyBaba is currently detained at State SCID Panti on the instructions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police over PMAN issues,” Gwamnishu posted.
“No proper investigation has been concluded, and he and others are being maltreated.”
While SaharaReporters is yet to independently verify the specific charges or petitions leading to the rapper’s arrest, netizens confirmed late Wednesday that the musician was taken in for questioning over “PMAN-related disruptions.”
PMAN, once Nigeria’s most influential musicians’ union, has been plagued by years of leadership crises, power tussles, and allegations of fraud.
Efforts to contact officials of the Lagos State Police Command for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
The State PPRO, Benjamin Hundeyin, did not respond to text messages and did not answer calls made to him.
(SaharaReporters)
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