Nigerian rapper and singer Ice Prince Zamani, born Panshak Zamani, has opened up about his harrowing experience at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos, where he was remanded in September 2022.
The musician faced allegations of assaulting a police officer during a stop-and-search operation.
In a candid revelation, Ice Prince described his six-day stint in prison as “horrible,” emphasizing that he received no preferential treatment despite his celebrity status.
He also reflected on the harsh realities of incarceration, highlighting the emotional and social challenges faced by inmates.
“Whatever story you were told is not what happened,” Ice Prince clarified.
“The case is over now, so I can talk about it. I spent six days in jail. I didn’t get preferential treatment. It’s a prison, so there was no preferential treatment. I’m not talking about a police cell.”
He added: “I have seen a lot of celebrities and public figures who went to police cells come out to brag as if they went through some sh*t. If you’ve never been to prison, you ain’t seen it yet. I can’t explain it. It’s a different world. I don’t pray for my worst enemy to experience it.”
Despite the grim environment, the rapper said he found camaraderie among fellow inmates, whom he referred to as “friends.”
“We hung out and chatted. It’s a different institution of higher learning,” he said, hinting at the life lessons and insights he gained during the brief imprisonment.
Ice Prince claimed his arrest was the result of a misunderstanding, explaining that he was joking with the police officer during the stop-and-search incident before driving off.
