The Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, on Thursday afternoon, ordered Scott Iguma to be remanded in prison until Monday, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing legal battle between the popular social media influencer and real estate company PWAN Plus Business Concerns Ltd.
The development comes barely 24 hours after Scott, who is popular for calling out real estate companies who allegedly engage in fraudulent activities, was arrested on Wednesday, July 16, at the Panti Police Station in Lagos. The arrest followed months of escalating tensions between Iguma and the real estate firm over allegations of customer fraud.
Scott Iguma will be arraigned on a 10-count charge at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, this morning, July 17, 2025, according to Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer CSP Hundeyin. The specific nature of the charges has not been fully disclosed, though they are believed to be related to defamation claims stemming from Iguma’s persistent social media campaign against PWAN.
The controversy began when Iguma, who has built a significant following as a property watchdog, launched a series of damaging allegations against PWAN on his Instagram platform. In posts that have since gone viral, he claimed the company was selling “receipts for customers instead of land” and alleged he had submitted 130 petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of aggrieved customers.
“I was at the EFCC again yesterday to submit another 25 petitions against PWAN,” Iguma had posted earlier this week. “So we now have a total of 130 petitions from customers that have been sent to the EFCC against PWAN. And we have about 30 victims who have not filed their petition.”
The activist’s claims painted a picture of systematic fraud, with Iguma alleging that victims continued to contact him daily with complaints about their experiences with the real estate firm. He also made serious accusations about the company’s leadership, claiming they used “top police officers to oppress victims when they try to speak out.”
PWAN Plus has vehemently denied all allegations, describing them as “malicious” and “defamatory.” The company has provided documentation to counter Iguma’s claims and has been preparing legal action against the influencer for what it terms spurious allegations designed to damage its brand reputation.
The case has attracted significant public attention, with fellow influencer and musician Kokopee expressing outrage over the remand order. In an Instagram video filmed outside the Ikoyi court, Kokopee questioned the severity of the response to Iguma’s activism.
“I’m here in Ikoyi. Sadly, Scott has been remanded till Monday. He has been remanded for fighting for people,” Kokopee said in the video. “You have a problem with the way he has done it? Did he kill someone? Did he commit a crime? In Lagos, I thought they said defamation is not a crime.”
The incident has sparked broader debates about the limits of social media activism and the balance between freedom of expression and protection from defamation. Legal experts note that while defamation is not typically a criminal offense in Lagos State, the specific circumstances and nature of the allegations may have warranted the current proceedings.
The case represents a significant test of how Nigeria’s legal system handles disputes arising from social media activism, particularly when they involve high-profile real estate dealings. With Iguma’s remand extending through the weekend, the Monday court appearance is expected to provide more clarity on the charges and the potential resolution of this closely watched legal battle.
The outcome could have broader implications for social media influencers who position themselves as consumer advocates in Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital landscape, where property fraud allegations have become increasingly common.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Social media influencer Scott Iguma has been remanded in prison until Monday by a Lagos court after being arrested for defamation over his public campaign against real estate company PWAN.
Iguma had accused the company of defrauding customers and claimed to have submitted 130 EFCC petitions on behalf of alleged victims. The case highlights the growing tension between social media activism and legal boundaries, as Iguma faces a 10-count charge for what he describes as “fighting for people,” while PWAN maintains the allegations are malicious and defamatory.
