Veteran Nigerian rapper Ruggedman has reportedly been detained by the Nigerian Police Force at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Lagos.
This detention, which has raised widespread concern within the entertainment industry, is said to have been ordered by a Deputy Commissioner of Police following disputes surrounding the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
The rapper, known for his outspoken advocacy on artists’ rights and governance issues, now finds himself at the center of an unfolding legal and organizational crisis.
Ruggedman is not alone in this troubling saga. According to reports, other prominent figures in the Nigerian music scene—Sunny Neji, Zakky Azzay, Boniface Itodo, and Raymond Lasisi—have also been detained.
The charges levelled against them are serious, including allegations of burglary, criminal trespass, and theft totaling over $130,000 from PMAN’s national secretariat located in Lagos.
These accusations have further deepened the ongoing rift within the association and raised questions about the legal processes and motivations behind the arrests.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu took to Instagram to shed light on the situation, alleging that Ruggedman and his colleagues were being subjected to poor treatment while in custody.
“They are being detained and maltreated without a proper investigation into the matter,” Harrison stated in his post.
He described the police’s conduct as a miscarriage of justice and urged the public to speak up against what he views as an abuse of power.
Gwamnishu’s intervention has sparked concern among fans and fellow artists who fear that this may be more than just a legal matter, but a political maneuver to silence opposition within PMAN.
The arrests appear to be rooted in a petition submitted by legal representatives of Pretty Okafor, the embattled National President of PMAN.
According to sources, the petition was addressed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
It is believed that the petition triggered the current crackdown. Okafor, who has faced significant internal opposition in recent months, has been accused by some of using state resources and legal means to suppress dissent and retain his grip on power.
The situation is only the latest chapter in a series of power struggles that have plagued PMAN.
Once seen as the official voice of Nigerian musicians, the association has seen its credibility erode due to long-standing disputes over leadership.
In 2024, the National Working Committee (NWC) of PMAN suspended Pretty Okafor over serious allegations, including breaches of the association’s constitution and financial misappropriation.
This move was seen by many as an effort to restore order and integrity to the organization.
Following Okafor’s suspension, veteran singer Sunny Neji was sworn in as acting president.
However, this leadership shift was quickly contested by PMAN’s National Executive Council (NEC), which accused Neji and others of misconduct and attempting to destabilize the organization.
In a contradictory and controversial decision, the NEC suspended several prominent members—Sunny Neji, Ruggedman, Zakky Azzay, and JFO Baba Ojonorgua—claiming they had acted in bad faith and violated internal procedures.
This latest development, with key members now under police detention, reflects the deep-rooted turmoil within PMAN.
The organization, once a unifying force for musicians across Nigeria, now appears to be unraveling under the weight of internal politics, legal battles, and unresolved grievances.
As the industry watches closely, many are calling for transparency, lawful due process, and genuine reform within PMAN to restore the confidence of its members and the public.
“PMAN should be a sanctuary for musicians, not a battleground,” a concerned artist commented online. “We need leaders who serve, not silence.”
