The Nigerian entertainment industry is filled with glitz and glamour, but some celebrities have found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Over the years, several well-known figures have been arrested and even served time in prison for various offenses, ranging from fraud to drug-related charges. While some were able to clear their names, others faced serious legal consequences. In this post, we’ll uncover the Nigerian celebrities who have been to prison and what led to their downfall—number one will leave you stunned!
12. AKPI
Speed Darlington was apprehended in Lagos in October following a petition filed by Damini Ogulu, popularly called Burna Boy, over allegations of defamation and cyberstalking.
In a video, he alleged that Burna Boy had an illicit relationship with American rapper P Diddy, who is facing criminal charges in the U.S.
Following the release of the video, Burna Boy filed a petition, leading to Speed Darlington’s arrest on allegations of defamation and cyberstalking on October 4.
11. Kizz Daniel
Kizz Daniel, better known as Daniel Anidugbe, had his first taste of prison life after he didn't turn up to for his concert in Tanzania. He failed to perform at Warehouse, Old Next. Unfortunately, the 'Twe Twe' crooner misplaced his costume and a gold chain to evil men in Tanzania.
10. Baba Ijesha
Comic actor in the Yoruba movie genre, Omikunle Olanrewaju James, better known as Baba Ijesha, was thrown into prison for sexually assaulting a minor. The comedian was caught in the act where he was assaulting his colleague, Damilola Adekoya also known as Princess's daughter, in her home. He was arrested and sentenced to five years imprisonment, however, he tried to challenge his jail terms by saying he was set up and later implicated. The actor has since been serving his jail term, which will end in a couple of years.
9. Sinzu
Babalola Falemi, also known as Sinzu or Sauce Kid, joined the league of ex-convict after his arrest in the United Kingdom for fraud. It was alleged that he stole more than 15 bank cards, encoded the bank numbers into blank cards, changed the pins and withdrew cash from an Automated Teller Machines in 2014. The law caught up with him at the Boise Airport while trying to board a flight.
8. Burna Boy
In 2010, Afrobeat singer, Ebunoluwa Damini Ogulu, professionally known as 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.
The singer tasted prison life as a minor.
7. Dammy Krane
In 2017, singer Oyindamola Johnson Emmanuel was arrested in Miami, United States. He was arrested at the Miami-Okpa Locka Executive Airport for credit card fraud and fraudulent identification possession. Seven credit cards, with three bearing his name, four bearing William Payton III were recovered from him. He was jailed at the Miami Dade County Correctional Centre. But was later released after fulfilling all he was required of him. The charges against him were later struck out in 2017. And he sang about his experience in one of his songs.
6. 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 po
lice 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.
4. Seun Kuti
4. 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.
2. 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.
1. Hush Puppi
Ramon Olorunwá Abbas, commonly known as Hushpuppi, Hush, or Ray Hushpuppi is a Dubai-based Nigerian Instagram influencer, self-acclaimed real estate mogul, and convicted felon. He was sentenced in the United States to 11 years for conspiracy to launder money obtained from business email compromise frauds and other scams, including schemes that defrauded a US law firm out of approximately $40 million, illegally transferred $14.7 million from a foreign financial institution, and targeted to steal $124 million from an English Premier League club.
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