Lagos, May 22, 2025
The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has addressed recent reports suggesting that Nigerian music artist Ruggedman (real name Michael Stephen), Fruitful Mekwunye, Boniface Itodo, and Faga Bem-Paul are being unlawfully detained by the police, dismissing the claims as misleading and untrue.
In a statement signed by the Acting General Secretary, Elizabeth Gabriel, PMAN said the arrests were the result of criminal actions, including unlawful entry, trespass, and theft, and not due to any ongoing union leadership tussle as alleged in some quarters.
According to PMAN, the suspects were apprehended by the Criminal Investigation Department at Panti, Lagos, after thorough investigations carried out by the IGP Monitoring Unit. The association revealed that the suspects had previously broken into PMAN’s national secretariat at 4B Hameed Kasumu Street, Lekki, in March 2025 and were released on bail, only to return on May 8 for a second forced takeover of the property.
The association emphasized that the matter is rooted in criminal conduct, not factionalism. “This has nothing to do with union politics,” the statement read. “These are repeat offences carried out in defiance of police warnings and ongoing investigations.”
PMAN also highlighted that those involved had previously been suspended or dismissed from the National Working Committee and had no constitutional authority to act on behalf of the association. Despite their suspension, PMAN said they had launched defamatory campaigns against its leadership online and attempted to destabilize the association by impersonating officials and forcefully occupying PMAN premises.
Mr. Pretty Okafor, PMAN’s president, was commended in the statement for not taking the law into his own hands, despite the provocation dating back to August 2024 when false accusations and cyberattacks were launched against him by the same individuals.
“The suspects are not unlawfully detained,” the statement clarified. “They are facing legitimate charges and are fully aware of the offences for which they were arrested. Legal proceedings are already underway.”
PMAN called on the public and media to disregard “propaganda and misinformation” suggesting otherwise, stating that justice must be allowed to take its natural course.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the law and protecting its members and assets from what it described as “criminality disguised as activism.”
Signed:
Elizabeth Gabriel, Esq.
Acting General Secretary, PMAN
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