Nigerian Rapper Ruggedman Report Arrested By Police In Lagos Over PMAN Issues
Popular Nigerian rapper and activist, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, better known as Ruggedman, has reportedly been arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos State, over issues linked to the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
Human rights advocate, Harrison Gwamnishu, broke the news via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, alleging 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. No proper investigation has been concluded, and he and others are being maltreated," Gwamnishu posted.
The arrest has triggered outrage among civil rights activists, raising concerns over the use of state power to suppress voices within Nigeria’s creative industry.
While SaharaReporters has not independently verified the exact charges or petitions against the rapper, online sources indicate the detention is tied to PMAN-related disruptions.
The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria, once a dominant musicians’ union in the country, has faced years of leadership crises, internal power struggles, and accusations of fraud.
Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Command for clarification proved abortive, as the State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, did not respond to calls or text messages at the time of filing this report.
