Eight Nigerian Artists Who Were Once Arrested And Detained

Several Nigerian stars have been faced with legal issues for flouting laws and orders.

Over the years, different Nigerian superstars have been faced with legal problems as a result of flouting laws and orders.

In spite of their stardom, they all took full responsibility for their misconduct.

Below are artists who have been arrested and detained:

1. Burna Boy:

In 2010 Burna Boy was arrested for a gang-related stabbing in the UK. He pled not guilty, but he went to jail, he was released after 11 months on parole for his good behaviour while in prison.

The self-acclaimed African Giant fled the UK and came back to Nigeria to start his music career before his parole was over in the UK.

2. Naira Marley:

Naira Marley, along with other individuals, was arrested by the EFCC on May 10, 2019, in relation to suspected online scamming and money laundering activities. Although the other detainees were freed five days later, Naira Marley was kept in detention due to suspicious materials discovered on his computer. He faced 11 accusations and was confined to Ikoyi Prison for several days before being granted bail. The bail terms required him to provide two sureties, who each had to guarantee a sum of 2 million naira.

He was also recently arrested on the allegations that he was involved in the death of late former signee, MohBad.

3. Omah Lay:

Omah Lay was also arrested in Uganda In December 2020, when he and Tems went to Uganda to perform at a concert. This was anticipated to be a night of entertainment and music for their fans. Regrettably, the situation turned into a nightmare when the Ugandan authorities arrested both performers for allegedly violating the COVID-19 regulations.

Omah Lay took to social media to express his displeasure with the turn of events. He revealed that he was treated “like an ordinary thief.” The artist stated that the preceding few days had been among the most arduous of his life. The Nigerian administration played a part in securing the release of both Omah Lay and Tems, who were detained for two days in police custody before being freed and returning to Nigeria.

4. Portable:

On Friday, March 31, 2023, Portable was arrested by the operatives of the Ogun Police Command after failing to surrender himself despite being given an ultimatum.

The artist was caught on camera using abusive language at police officers who visited his bar in the Sanga Ota district of Ogun State to detain him. He declined to cooperate with the officers, stating that he was a baboon and could not be apprehended. Portable was arraigned on five charges by the Ogun Police Command, which included assault, disorderly conduct, and theft of musical equipment. He was accused of pilfering musical devices.

On Monday, April 3, 2023, the magistrate presiding in Ifo town, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, granted Portable bail after he was held in the Ilaro Correctional Centre to fulfill his bail conditions.

The Zazoo crooner was reported to the police by his former apprentice. The artist claimed that he reprimanded the apprentice for refusing to reform and fired him.

According to Portable, the former worker went to the police station and lodged an assault complaint against him for simply correcting him. He defended his actions by stating that he was the apprentice’s boss and that he disciplined him by beating him.

5. Zlatan Ibile:

He was also arrested alongside Naira Marley and three others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in May 2019. The arrest was in connection to an alleged case of internet fraud and money laundering.

He had collaborated with Naira Marley on the controversial song, “Am I A Yahoo Boy”, which was one of the reasons for the arrest.

After spending five days in custody, Zlatan and the other three individuals who were arrested with him were released. However, Naira Marley remained in custody as a result of incriminating items found on his laptop.

Following his release, Zlatan dropped a new single titled “4 Nights In Ekohtiebo”, which talked about his ordeal during his time in prison. In the song, he shared his experiences of being in custody and his fears of being locked up for a long time.

6. Tems:

She was arrested in December 2020 in Kampala, Uganda.

The reason for the arrest was reportedly due to flouting COVID-19 guidelines. Tems had performed at a show in Uganda that had been condemned due to the Covid-19 rules that were in place at the time.

The Ugandan police force described the suspects as selfish individuals who were “bent on violating the directives on COVID-19 with the purpose of making money while risking the lives of many Ugandans.”

The show was held during a time when political rallies of more than 200 people and churches in Uganda were restricted to 100 people. Many Ugandan artists and citizens condemned the widely promoted concert, which had more than 1,000 people in attendance.

As a result, Tems and her manager spent two days in police custody before being released and returning to Nigeria on December 17, 2020.

In response to the situation, Tems released a statement expressing her sadness that attendees could have possibly been exposed to COVID-19. She also stated that she would never have participated if she had known that the event would not meet standard operating procedures and put Uganda’s citizens at risk.

She thanked the Nigerian and Ugandan governments and everyone behind the scenes who played a part in resolving the matter. She also expressed her appreciation for her “rebel gang” of fans who continue to show her love and support.

7. Seun Kuti:

In May 2023, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, ordered the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to arrest Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, after he was captured on video assaulting a police officer in uniform.

A Lagos State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yaba, remanded the Afrobeat singer in police custody for 48 hours to enable the police to conclude its investigation into an allegation of assault brought against him.

Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun, who presided over the matter, also ordered the police to release the musician after the stipulated period on bail and also send the case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), so that legal advice can be issued.

8. D’Banj:

Popular Nigerian musician, D’Banj in December 2022, was arrested and detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC).

The music star was detained after ICPC operatives closed in on him, forcing him to surrender himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, over charges of fraud.

D’Banj was accused of fraudulently diverting hundreds of millions of naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for the N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up by the Nigerian government in 2016 to address youth unemployment and increase social development.

Reports said that D’banj was a Brand Ambassador for the ministry. It was alleged that the singer colluded with some government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the scheme. The stipend paid to those beneficiaries was then paid to accounts that have now allegedly been linked to the pop star.