Ruggedman, the ace Nigerian rapper, has reportedly been detained at the state criminal investigation department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu alleged that the rapper’s detention stemmed from an ongoing dispute with the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
Gwamnishu claimed that Ruggedman, whose real name is Michael Stephens, is currently being maltreated in police custody without proper investigation.
Ruggedman is currently detained at State SCID Panti on the instructions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police over PMAN issues, he said.
No proper investigation has been concluded. He and others are being maltreated. I wish to draw the attention of Nigerians about what is going on.
The development comes after the PMAN national executive council (NEC) announced the indefinite suspension of Ruggedman and other members, including Sunny Neji, Zaaki Azzay and JFO Baba Ojonorgua in August 2024.
The council said the 51-year-old rapper and others were suspended after being found guilty of misconduct.
We made attempts to reach Ruggedman and Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos state police spokesperson, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
