Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has found himself at the centre of a growing controversy involving interior decorator Amaka Obasi, a disputed ₦386 million renovation contract, and allegations of police misuse. What began as a civil disagreement has now spiralled into a national conversation about celebrity privilege, contractor rights, and law enforcement ethics.
The saga began when tech creative Derrick (@software_artist) took to social media, accusing Rema of using officers from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, to harass and detain Amaka. According to Derrick, Amaka was contracted to renovate Rema’s new home under her company, Adeb Lifestyle, but was arrested after requesting payment. He claimed she was tricked into attending a meeting, detained, and coerced into paying over ₦1 million in bail.
“He has been using her for the work and involved the police… She was arrested and detained yesterday after honouring an invitation with her lawyer,” Derrick tweeted.
Further allegations suggested that Amaka was forced to turn off her phone, creating the illusion that she remained in custody. Derrick also accused Rema of delaying the project by four months and attempting to force Amaka to sign a contract stating she would pay ₦1 million for any extension.
As the story gained traction, a petition surfaced alleging that the project was incomplete, the furniture was missing, and the funds had been transferred to unrelated accounts. It also noted that the account used by Adeb Lifestyle was not properly registered.
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In response to the mounting backlash, the Nigeria Police Force CID issued a statement denying any misconduct. They clarified that internal investigations are not released publicly unless required by law and urged Nigerians to be cautious of misleading narratives. A separate advisory revealed that Amaka was apprehended before she could present a valuer’s report or legal representative, and that the account used by Adeb Lifestyle was allegedly unregistered.
The police emphasised that both parties were advised to engage an independent valuer to assess the project and financial transactions. However, critics argue that the arrest of Amaka prior to fulfilling these steps undermines due process and reflects a troubling misuse of police authority in civil matters.
Social media reactions have been polarised. While some defend Rema, citing project delays and contractual ambiguity, others insist that law enforcement should not be weaponised in business disputes. While some people question the police’s involvement, calling it “deliberate corruption,” others defended the force, stating the matter involved uniformed individuals and alleged fund mismanagement.
As of now, Rema has not issued a formal statement, and Amaka’s legal team is reportedly preparing to escalate the matter. The case continues to spark national debate around contract enforcement, celebrity accountability, and the ethical boundaries of law enforcement in private business dealings.
