Nigerian rapper, Ice Prince, has opened up about his recent experience at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos, shedding light on the harsh conditions he faced while in custody.
The rapper, whose real name is Panshak Zamani, was arrested in September 2024 on charges of assaulting a police officer. He was later granted bail, but the time he spent in the facility appears to have left a lasting impression.
In a candid interview, Ice Prince revealed the difficulties he encountered while incarcerated, stating that he was treated no differently from the other inmates, despite his celebrity status.
“I wasn’t given any preferential treatment. It was the same as it would have been for any other person. The conditions were tough, but I tried to make the best of it. It was an eye-opening experience for me,” Ice Prince explained.
The rapper also expressed his shock at the poor state of the facility, describing the overcrowding and lack of basic amenities as “disturbing.” He further detailed his time in a cell with multiple inmates, struggling with limited access to necessities like clean water and adequate food.
“You’re just another person once you’re inside, and the system doesn’t care about who you are or what you’ve achieved outside,” Ice Prince shared. “It was humbling, but also really tough to get through.”
Ice Prince was arrested after a traffic-related altercation with a police officer, during which he allegedly assaulted the officer. Following his arrest, he was held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre for several days before being granted bail.
Since his release, the rapper has taken to social media to reflect on the incident, calling for reforms in Nigeria’s prison system, and using his platform to advocate for better conditions for incarcerated individuals.
His time in detention, he says, has reshaped his perspective on justice and inequality, and he is now more committed than ever to speaking out on behalf of those whose voices often go unheard.
“I’ve learned a lot through this experience. One of the things that stuck with me is how broken the system is. People need to hear those stories, and we need to start talking about the need for better conditions in our correctional centres,” Ice Prince added.
The rapper’s experience in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre has sparked a wider conversation on the state of Nigeria’s prisons, with many calling for urgent reforms.
source: Legit.ng