Popular Nigerian rapper and activist, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, widely known as Ruggedman, has been arrested and is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Lagos State, in connection with matters related to the Performing Musicians Employersโ Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
Sources reported that the arrest which has drawn backlash from civil rights groups was allegedly ordered by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, prompting concerns about the growing use of state authority to suppress voices in Nigeriaโs creative sector.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu disclosed the situation on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, alleging that Ruggedman and others are being detained without due investigation.
โ@RuggedyBaba is currently detained at State SCID Panti on the instructions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police over PMAN issues,โ Gwamnishu wrote. โNo proper investigation has been concluded, and he and others are being maltreated.โ
At the time of filing this report, it has not been confirmed the exact charges or petitions behind the rapperโs arrest. However, social media users reported late Wednesday that the musician was taken in for questioning over โPMAN-related disruptions.โ
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