LAGOS — The Federal High Court in Ikoyi has ordered the remand of popular activist and social media influencer, Scott Iguma, until Monday, following allegations of criminal defamation against real estate company, PWAN Group.
Iguma was arraigned on Thursday, a day after he was arrested at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, Lagos. He is facing a 10-count charge related to the alleged publication of false and defamatory content via his Instagram account, which boasts over one million followers.
According to the charge sheet obtained by Vanguard, Iguma is accused of posting several videos and messages accusing PWAN of failing to allocate land to investors after receiving payments. He also reportedly described the company’s founder as “the leader of the thieves.”
Among the specific posts cited in court were statements allegedly made by Iguma on May 27 and 28, 2025. In one post, he wrote: “If anything happens to me, PWAN should be number 1 suspect. If anything happens to my family, nuclear and extended, hold PWAN responsible, even if I fall sick, hold PWAN responsible.”
Another post read: “PWAN Real Estate Company, the company that sells receipt to people instead of land… I can boldly state and advise, do not buy property from PWAN for now.”
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police and Senior Legal Officer A.O. Nwabuisi, argued that Iguma’s posts were false, incited public unrest, and posed a threat to lives. The police said his actions violated Section 24(1)(b) and are punishable under Section 24(2)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, as amended in 2024.
In reaction to his detention, a statement on Iguma’s official Instagram handle, @scott_iguma, criticised the police, stating: “The Nigerian Police Force has again towed the path of illegality by detaining our client, Mr. Scott Iguma, today for purportedly defaming PWAN.”
The statement further argued that under the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2011, defamation is no longer a criminal offence and accused the police of being used as an instrument of intimidation. “PWAN used the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Yaba Panti, to detain Scott Iguma,” the post claimed.
The case has stirred debate on the use of cybercrime laws in civil disputes and the boundaries of free speech online. The court is expected to decide on his bail application on Monday.
