The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations circulating on social media that award-winning singer Rema used its officers to detain an interior designer over unpaid debts.
On Tuesday, September 16, posts on X (formerly Twitter) claimed that the Calm Down crooner instructed police officers to arrest Lagos-based designer Amaka Obasi, who had reportedly demanded payment for renovation and studio work.
But the Force Criminal Investigation Department, clarified that the case involved a contractual dispute worth hundreds of millions of naira, not mere debt recovery.
In a statement released by FCID spokesperson, Aminat Mayegun, the police explained:
“This is not a matter of simple debt. Ms. Obasi, through her company Ardeb Lifestyle, signed a contract worth ₦386 million with Mr. Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, in April 2023. Out of this, ₦287 million was paid upfront. However, during inspection, the work was incomplete and several items of furniture were missing.”
According to Mayegun, investigations revealed that part of the advance payment was diverted into unrelated accounts.
She added that Obasi declined to provide a professional valuer’s report or engage a legal representative when advised.
“She failed to comply with agreed procedures and was consequently invited for questioning. Claims that she was arbitrarily detained at the behest of the artist are misleading,” Mayegun said.
The FCID maintained that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the designer breached her contractual obligations.
This is not the first time Rema has faced public scrutiny. Only recently, fellow singer Omah Lay accused him of copying his album concept, sparking another wave of industry debate.
