(In Nigeria) Court Grants Bail to Scott Iguma Amidst PWAN Defamation Case

 

Scott Iguma, a well-known media personality and online influencer, was recently granted bail by the Lagos State High Court following his arrest over defamation claims. The incident began last week when Scott publicly accused a popular Nigerian real estate company, PWAN, of scamming customers. According to him, the firm sold fake receipts to land buyers instead of actual land and defrauded over 130 people. In response to these allegations, Scott submitted a batch of petitions from the alleged victims to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a bid to hold the company accountable. However, shortly after making the accusations public, Scott was arrested on Thursday based on a complaint filed by the founder of PWAN, Augustine Onwumere. The company alleged defamation and pressed charges against him. On Friday morning, the court ordered that Scott be remanded in prison pending further proceedings. This decision led to a major outcry on social media, with several Nigerian celebrities and activists, including Tunde Ednut, VeryDarkMan, Stanley Ontop, and singer Kokopee, speaking out against what they described as an act of oppression. They questioned the fairness of arresting a whistleblower who was advocating for justice on behalf of numerous victims. The case quickly gained public attention, with many users on social platforms demanding transparency from PWAN and due legal process for Scott.

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On Monday, the Lagos State High Court granted bail to Scott Iguma. The development came after intense public attention and online activism around his case. The announcement of his bail was made public through a video posted by Nigerian singer Kokopee, who has been an outspoken supporter of Scott since the beginning of the saga. In the video, Kokopee confirmed that the judge had granted bail after a hearing and assured Nigerians that Scott’s legal team was working hard to fulfill the bail conditions for his immediate release. Kokopee used the opportunity to urge Nigerians not to remain silent in the face of injustice, emphasizing that “injustice for one is injustice to all.” He also called on PWAN to publicly present evidence if they are truly innocent of the allegations brought against them. The message resonated with many online who had expressed anger over Scott’s arrest, especially since his actions were tied to public advocacy. Many have described the situation as an example of how powerful individuals or companies might try to silence whistleblowers through legal pressure. The case has sparked a broader conversation about land scams in Nigeria and the accountability of real estate firms. Social media platforms have remained active with debates, calls for EFCC to act swiftly, and support for Scott’s continued fight against alleged fraud. Supporters argue that Scott’s effort to help alleged victims of land fraud should not be criminalized. They are now watching closely to see how the case unfolds and whether PWAN will address the allegations directly with evidence. As of now, Scott remains out on bail, and the legal proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

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