Veteran rapper Ruggedman, along with musicians Sunny Neji, Zakky Azzay, Boniface Itodo, and Raymond Lasisi, has been arrested by the Nigerian Police over allegations of burglary, criminal trespass, and theft involving over $130,000 from the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) national secretariat in Lekki, Lagos. The arrests followed a petition submitted by the legal counsel of Pretty Okafor, the embattled National President of PMAN, accusing the suspects of forcefully breaking into the PMAN headquarters and stealing cash and laptops.
The crisis stems from prolonged disputes within PMAN, which escalated after Okafor was suspended by the National Working Committee (NWC) in 2024 over alleged constitutional violations and financial misappropriation. Sunny Neji was sworn in as acting president, but the National Executive Council (NEC) later suspended several key members, including Ruggedman and others, citing misconduct and attempts to destabilize the association.
The accused allegedly took advantage of Okafor’s official trip abroad to declare him suspended without due process and staged multiple break-ins at the PMAN secretariat, carting away significant sums of money and valuables. Despite warnings from police authorities to maintain the status quo pending legal resolution, the group reportedly returned to reclaim control of the premises, prompting their arrest.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has raised concerns about the treatment of Ruggedman and others in custody, highlighting the lack of proper investigation. PMAN, however, insists the arrests are justified and part of ongoing efforts to uphold the rule of law within the association.
The case is currently before the courts, with investigations concluded and prosecution underway. The dispute continues to cast a shadow over PMAN’s role in representing Nigerian musicians, underscoring deep divisions and challenges within the organization.
