Popular media personality and social media influencer Scott Iguma, has been granted bail by the Lagos State High Court.
The ruling came on Monday, just three days after Iguma was remanded in prison following his arrest on charges of defamation.
The case stems from Iguma’s recent public allegations against PWAN Group, a well-known real estate company. In a viral video posted last Monday, the influencer accused PWAN of defrauding customers by issuing receipts instead of actual land ownership documents. He backed his claims by submitting more than 130 petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), all from individuals who alleged they were victims of the company’s activities.
The allegations quickly attracted public attention. Iguma’s bold claims and the volume of petitions he submitted painted a troubling picture that sparked heated conversations online. In response, PWAN’s founder, Dr. Augustine Onwumere, filed a formal complaint against Iguma, accusing him of defamation.
By Thursday, police arrested Iguma, and the court ordered his remand in prison on Friday morning, pending further proceedings. His detention triggered a wave of reactions across various social media platforms. Prominent voices such as influencer Tunde Ednut, controversial commentator VeryDarkMan, content creator Stanley Ontop, and musician Kokopee all spoke out, criticising both the Nigeria Police and PWAN for what they described as an attempt to silence a whistleblower.
The situation ignited a larger conversation about freedom of speech, the role of influencers in holding companies accountable, and the potential misuse of legal power to suppress public dissent. Many Nigerians, especially those in the digital space, argued that Iguma’s arrest was unjust and signalled a threat to individuals who dare to challenge powerful corporations.
On Monday, a glimmer of relief came when the court ruled in favour of granting bail to Iguma. The announcement was made by singer Kokopee, one of his vocal supporters, in a video shared on social media.
“After the hearing, the judge has granted Scott Iguma bail,” Kokopee said in the video. “His legal team is working tirelessly to meet all the bail conditions. One thing Nigerians must remember is this, we cannot stay silent when we see signs of oppression. Injustice for one is injustice for all.”
Kokopee also issued a stern warning to PWAN, urging the company to come forward with evidence if it truly believes it has been wrongly accused. “PWAN, be warned,” he said. “If you say you’re innocent, bring out the proof. The people deserve to know the truth.”
Iguma’s supporters continue to demand transparency from both the police and PWAN, insisting that the real issue lies in the numerous complaints filed by customers who claim to have been misled by the real estate company. For many, the influencer’s arrest felt like an effort to distract from the growing outcry of consumers who say they have been scammed.
Iguma’s legal team finalising release
As of the time of reporting, Iguma’s legal team is still working to finalise the conditions of his release. Details of the bail terms have not been made public, but sources close to the case say his release could happen within the next 24 hours.
The case has become a flashpoint in the broader conversation about digital activism, accountability in real estate practices, and the limits of free speech in Nigeria.
Whether Iguma’s claims hold water or not, one thing is clear, this case is far from over, and all eyes are now on both the courts and PWAN’s next move.
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