Popular Nigerian rapper Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, widely known as Ruggedman, has been arrested alongside well-known musicians Sunny Neji, Zakky Azzay, Boniface Itodo, and Raymond Lasisi.
The arrest followed serious accusations of burglary, criminal trespass, and theft at the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) national office in Lekki, Lagos.
According to a petition filed by PMAN’s legal representative, Henrie Eduozor, Esq., the accused individuals allegedly broke into the national secretariat located at 4B Hameed Kasumu Street, Chevy View Estate.
During the alleged break-in, the group reportedly made away with over \$130,000 in cash and two Apple MacBook Pro laptops.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu confirmed the arrests in an Instagram post, stating that Ruggedman and others were being held in connection with the dispute.
Moreover, the musicians are said to be suspended or dismissed members of the PMAN National Working Committee (NWC).
The invasion was believed to have taken place in August 2024 while Pretty Okafor, the National President of PMAN, was away on an official trip to Spain.
Taking advantage of his absence, the group allegedly declared Okafor suspended and tried to take control of the union’s leadership.
However, their actions were reversed by the PMAN National Executive Council, which reinstated Okafor.
Despite this, the group allegedly went ahead with a separate National Delegates Conference and claimed to have formed new leadership based on a court consent judgment.
PMAN’s legal team, however, rejected the judgment, claiming it was obtained through false representation.
It was also said that the court recognized an address not officially registered as PMAN’s headquarters.
According to the petition, a second break-in occurred on May 8, 2025, even while police investigations were still ongoing.
This latest incident allegedly included the participation of one Mr. Fruitful Mekwunye.
PMAN claims that this was done despite a clear warning from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where Deputy Commissioner of Police, Akin Fakorede, had instructed all parties to maintain the current status until a legal decision was reached.
The petition was backed by video evidence, photos, and documents from the Registrar of Trade Unions, which confirmed Okafor as the lawful National President.
In a strong statement released by the PMAN leadership under Okafor, the association said,
“This is not the first offence. The suspects had illegally broken into PMAN’s National Secretariat in March 2025.”
The statement continued, “They were cautioned and granted bail but refused to report back to the IGP Monitoring Unit for further investigation.”
“They struck again. On May 8, 2025, they returned this time with Mr. Fruitful Mekwunye and forcefully took over the Secretariat a second time, prompting their re-arrest.
Contrary to their narrative, this is not about union rivalry it is about criminal actions that undermine the rule of law,” it concluded.
Meanwhile, the police have reportedly completed their investigation.
The case is now being prepared for prosecution.
Furthermore, the association has urged the public to dismiss claims of unlawful detention.
PMAN emphasized that “the arrests were legally justified” and called on the media, stakeholders, and fans to support the rule of law within the entertainment sector.
The entire situation has left many wondering how such respected voices in the industry became entangled in a legal crisis of this nature.
At the time of this report, none of the arrested musicians have publicly responded to the allegations.
