Court Grants Activist Scott Iguma ₦10 Million Bail Over Defamation Case

The Lagos State High Court on Monday granted bail to popular activist and social media influencer, Scott Iguma, three days after he was remanded over allegations of criminal defamation against real estate company PWAN.

Iguma was earlier ordered to be remanded by the Federal High Court in Ikoyi last Thursday following his arrest at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, Lagos. He faces a 10-count charge bordering on the alleged publication of false information and defamation.

According to reports, Iguma had publicly accused PWAN of defrauding customers by selling receipts instead of land, and submitted over 130 petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from individuals claiming to be victims.

His arrest drew widespread condemnation on social media, with public figures including Tunde Ednut, VeryDarkMan, Stanley Ontop, and singer Kokopee speaking out in his defense and accusing both the police and PWAN of trying to silence him.

PWAN’s founder, Augustine Onwumere, who visited the police after Iguma’s viral accusations, has denied orchestrating the arrest. He claimed he only went to clarify matters after watching a video in which Iguma said that if anything happened to him, PWAN should be held accountable.

Singer Kokopee, in a video posted on Monday, confirmed that Iguma had been granted bail and said his legal team was working to meet the court’s conditions.

“After the hearing, the judge has granted Scott Iguma bail. His legal team is currently working round the clock to ensure all bail conditions are met. One thing I must tell Nigerians is that we cannot be silent when it looks like oppression is around the corner. Injustice for one is injustice to all,” Kokopee said.

He also issued a warning to PWAN: “PWAN, be warned. If you say you are innocent, come forward with proof.”

When asked to comment on Iguma’s bail, Lagos State Police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said, “The matter is in court, and he ought to be arraigned today. I owe Nigerians no explanation again because it’s out of our jurisdiction.”