Operatives of the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on Thursday arraigned a self-proclaimed activist, Scott Iguma, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over alleged cyberbullying and cyberstalking.
Iguma was brought before Justice Friday Ogazi on a four-count charge bordering on the unlawful use of social media to publish false and damaging content against the founder of real estate firm PWAN, Dr. Augustine Onwumere.
According to the prosecution, led by Barrister Augustine Nwabuisi, the offences were committed between May 27 and 28, 2025, at Lekki Gardens, Sangotedo, Lekki, Lagos.
Nwabuisi told the court that the defendant, using his Instagram handle with over one million followers, published several unverified and malicious statements against Dr. Onwumere, including photographs of the businessman, which he circulated across social media platforms.
The posts allegedly described the real estate mogul as a criminal running a fraudulent business.
One of the posts referenced in court read: “If anything happens to me, PWAN should be number one suspect. If anything happens to my family, nuclear and extended, hold PWAN responsible. Even if I fall sick, hold PWAN responsible.”
Another post allegedly made by the defendant read: “PWAN Real Estate Company, the company that sells receipt to people instead of land… I can boldly state and advise, do not buy property from PWAN for now. PWAN founder is the leader of this thing.”
The prosecution submitted that the posts were knowingly false and intended to incite public hatred, cause a breakdown of law and order, and pose a threat to life.
“These acts contravene Section 24 (1)(b) and are punishable under Section 24 (2)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act (As Amended) 2024,” Nwabuisi stated.
The court was also informed that the falsehoods were widely circulated by the defendant’s followers, further amplifying their potential to damage reputations and mislead the public.
One of the charges read in part: “That you, Scott Iguma ‘M’, on or before May 27, 2025, at Lekki Gardens, Sangotedo, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, knowingly sent a message via a computer system captioned, ‘If anything happens to me, PWAN should be number 1 suspect…’ knowing same to be false, with intent to incite hatred and pose a threat to life.”
Another count accused him of posting false and defamatory content against the real estate company on May 28, 2025, stating that PWAN was engaged in fraudulent property transactions and warning the public not to patronize the firm.
After the charges were read, Iguma pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
In response, Justice Ogazi ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) until Monday, July 21, 2025, when the court will hear his bail application.
The judge directed both prosecution and defence to prepare their submissions ahead of the next sitting.
The four charges detail how Iguma allegedly used a computer system; namely Instagram to publish and circulate messages that were “false, damaging to reputation, and capable of inciting unrest and hatred.”
The charge sheet further noted that Iguma not only posted the content himself but actively encouraged its spread by sharing photos of the complainant with captions describing him as a fraud.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2025, for hearing of the bail application.
