Veteran Nigerian rapper, Ruggedman, has refuted claims that he was arrested by the Nigerian Police Force at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti. The reports had alleged that his detention was ordered by a Deputy Commissioner of Police amid an ongoing dispute within the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
Other individuals reportedly arrested include Sunny Neji, Zakky Azzay, Boniface Itodo, and Raymond Lasisi. They were allegedly accused of burglary, criminal trespass, and theft involving over $130,000 from PMAN’s national secretariat in Lagos.
Human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, took to Instagram to raise concerns over the treatment of Ruggedman and the others by the police, claiming they were being maltreated without due investigation.
In a video posted on Saturday evening, Ruggedman denied the allegations and urged the public not to be misled by misinformation.
“Don’t be deceived by fake news,” he stated. “A disgruntled individual we suspended from PMAN is now alleging funds are missing from the office we visited—without providing any evidence. We are fighting to save PMAN from his grip. This is a battle for the soul of our musicians’ union and the rights of Nigerian artists.”
