The Nigerian Police Force has arrested popular singer and dancer Idowu Smart Emmanuel, commonly known as Lil Smart, for allegedly defaming his former label head, Naira Marley.
It was stated that Lil Smart had previously accused Naira Marley of kidnapping and abusing him.
He further claimed that Naira Marley bribed all police officers in Lagos to avoid prosecution and implicated him in a credit card fraud scheme.
On January 28, 2025, police detained Lil Smart at his home in Megamound Estate, Ajah, Lagos.
During a press briefing, Nigeria Police Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed Lil Smart’s detention, adding that he was being held for criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and spreading lies about Naira Marley.
“Arrest of a suspect for criminal defamation and cyberstalking. – Following a law firm’s petition, Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime operatives arrested Idowu Smart Emmanuel, a resident of Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, for criminal defamation, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and lie against Abdulazeez Adeshina Fashola (A.K.A. Naira Marley).
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“Investigations revealed that the suspect, using his Instagram name @lilsmart_, falsely claimed that he was abducted, assaulted, and robbed of $300, and that Naira Marley bribed all police officers in Lagos and was involved in credit card fraud.
“The suspect then stated in writing that these charges were untrue and lacked evidence to support his claim. “On January 28, 2025, he was apprehended at his home in Megamound Estate, Ajah, Lagos, and the exhibits used in this crime were recovered,” the statement stated.
