In a shocking turn of events, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest of former Marlian Records signee, Lil Smart. The young talent found himself at the center of a heated controversy involving accusations against his former boss, Naira Marley, and fellow artist, Zinoleesky. The police have now shed light on the details surrounding his arrest, which has sent ripples through the entertainment industry.
Lil Smart, whose real name is Idowu Smart Emmanuel, recently made headlines with his explosive allegations against Naira Marley and Zinoleesky. He accused them of physical assault, abduction, and manipulation, leading to a social media frenzy. Renowned Nollywood producer, Stanley Ontop, added fuel to the fire by revealing that Lil Smart had been arrested and detained at an undisclosed location.
The Nigerian Police Force took to Instagram to address the swirling rumors, confirming that Lil Smart was indeed arrested last month. The police statement detailed that he was apprehended at his residence in Megamound Estate, Ajah, Lagos, for cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and spreading falsehoods against Naira Marley.
The official post read: “Following a petition filed by a law firm, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime arrested one Idowu Smart Emmanuel for criminal defamation, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and falsehood against Abdulazeez Adeshina Fashola (A.K.A Naira Marley).” The police further elaborated that Lil Smart had used his Instagram handle, @lilsmart_, to falsely allege abduction and assault by Naira Marley.
On January 28, 2025, Lil Smart was taken into custody, and relevant exhibits were recovered from his residence. The police statement also indicated that investigations revealed the suspect’s fabricated claims and defamatory actions.
The arrest has sparked a myriad of reactions from fans and netizens:
- @Happyboy777 commented: “The guy should have claimed it was a crypto boom and shown evidence. That would have ended the issue.”
- @davidgarret0147 remarked: “Why flaunt it? He should have invested quietly in Nigeria.”
- @AutoDuru added: “He could have claimed the money was inheritance from his family in Nigeria. Authorities don’t investigate inheritance sources.”
- @EFCC noted: “My father worked in the USA for three months and bought a house worth $219,000 back in 2021. Why wasn’t he arrested?”
- @MichealMmaduabuchi suggested: “He should have paid in installments instead of going all out. Overdoing things is his problem.”
The fallout from Lil Smart’s arrest serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of false accusations and cyberbullying. As the investigation continues, it is a crucial lesson on the importance of integrity and accountability in both personal and professional realms.
