The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the remand of popular social media activist and influencer, Scott Iguma, in custody until Monday, July 21, 2025, over allegations of criminal defamation against the real estate firm, PWAN Group.

Naijaonpoint reports that Iguma, who commands over one million followers on Instagram, was arraigned on Thursday after being arrested the previous day at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, Lagos.

According to the charge sheet seen by Vanguard, Iguma is facing a 10-count charge related to the alleged publication of false information and criminal defamation using his Instagram platform.

The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police and Senior Legal Officer, A.O. Nwabuisi, accused Iguma of using social media to incite public hatred against PWAN by alleging that the company collected payments for land from investors without allocation and branded its founder as “the leader of the thieves.”

One of ...s attributed to him, allegedly published on May 27 and 28, read, “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 said: “PWAN Real Estate Company, the company that sells receipts to people instead of land… I can boldly state and advise, do not buy property from PWAN for now.”

The Police said ...s were “false, malicious, and designed to threaten public peace, incite hatred, and endanger lives.”

The charges, they added, contravene Section 24(1)(b) and are punishable under Section 24(2)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, amended in 2024.

Following his arraignment, a post appeared on his Instagram page, @scott_iguma, criticising the police and alleging abuse of power.

“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 read.

... argued that defamation had been decriminalised in Lagos State under the 2011 Criminal Law and accused the police of acting as a tool for intimidation.

“Assuming but not conceding that his videos defamed PWAN, defamation is no longer a crime in Lagos State. The Nigeria Police should stop being a vehicle for intimidation,” the page added.

The page further alleged that PWAN influenced the arrest through high-ranking police officers, stating, “PWAN used the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Yaba Panti, to detain Scott Iguma.”