A Federal High Court in Ikoyi has ordered the remand of social media activist and influencer Scott Iguma until Monday over allegations of criminal defamation against real estate firm, PWAN Group.
Iguma was arraigned on Thursday, a day after his arrest at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, Lagos.
According to the charge sheet, the influencer is facing a 10-count charge for allegedly publishing false and defamatory statements about PWAN using his Instagram platform, which has over one million followers.
Police allege that Iguma released videos accusing the company of collecting money from investors without allocating land and referred to PWAN’s founder as “the leader of the thieves.” In posts allegedly made on May 27 and 28, 2025, Iguma reportedly 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.”
He also allegedly claimed: “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.”
Prosecutors, led by ASP and Senior Legal Officer A.O. Nwabuisi, argue that the posts were false, incited public unrest, and posed threats to lives.
They cited violations of Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, with penalties under Section 24(2)(ii), as amended in 2024.
Meanwhile, a post from Iguma’s Instagram account, @scott_iguma, criticized his detention, calling it an abuse of power by the police.
The statement argued that defamation is no longer a criminal offense in Lagos State, citing its removal under the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2011.
The post further alleged that PWAN influenced his arrest through the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Yaba, describing the move as an attempt to suppress criticism.