Popular Nigerian rapper and activist, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, more commonly known as Ruggedman, has been arrested and is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos State, over issues linked to the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
SaharaReporters learnt that the arrest, which has sparked outrage among civil rights activists, was reportedly ordered by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, raising concerns over the increasing use of state power to intimidate voices within Nigeria’s creative community.
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 by SaharaReporters 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.