The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has directed that social media activist and influencer, Scott Iguma, be remanded in custody until Monday, as he faces a ten-count criminal charge related to alleged defamation against a prominent real estate company, PWAN.
Iguma, who was arrested on Wednesday by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba, appeared in court on Thursday to answer to charges bordering on the alleged dissemination of false and defamatory content through his widely followed Instagram page, which boasts over one million followers.
According to the charge sheet, Iguma is accused of making multiple posts on May 27 and 28, 2025, in which he publicly criticized PWAN for failing to allocate land to investors after collecting payments. The posts, according to the Police, alleged that PWAN issued only receipts instead of land allocations and labeled the company’s founder as “the leader of the thieves.”
In one of the posts cited by prosecutors, Iguma reportedly stated: “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 allegedly 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 Police, represented in court by Assistant Superintendent of Police and Senior Legal Officer, A.O. Nwabuisi, argued that these public statements were not only false but were also aimed at inciting public unrest, threatening lives, and inciting hatred against PWAN. The charges, according to the Police, violate Section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act and are punishable under Section 24 (2)(ii) as amended in 2024.
While the court ordered Iguma’s remand pending further hearing, his supporters and legal representatives have taken to his Instagram account, @scott_iguma, to express their displeasure. A post shared on the platform read: “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, “Assuming but not conceding that his videos defamed PWAN, defamation is no longer a crime in Lagos State following its decriminalisation under the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2011. The Nigeria Police should stop being a vehicle for intimidation.”
The post also accused PWAN of leveraging law enforcement to suppress dissent, claiming that the real estate firm used the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Yaba Panti, to orchestrate Iguma’s arrest and detention.
The case has sparked debate online about the boundaries of free speech, the role of law enforcement in civil disputes, and the legal implications of content shared by influencers on digital platforms. As the legal proceedings unfold, the spotlight remains on the intersection of online activism, defamation laws, and the responsibilities of both influencers and corporations in public discourse.
What You Should Know
Scott Iguma, a well-known Instagram activist, is currently facing legal action over his public criticisms of real estate firm PWAN. While the Police cite alleged violations of the Cybercrimes Act, Iguma’s supporters argue that defamation is no longer a criminal offense in Lagos State.
The unfolding case highlights tensions between digital expression and corporate accountability in Nigeria’s legal and social landscape.
