Skales recounts night in police cell, forced to perform for inmates
Nigerian singer Skales has shared a shocking story about a night he spent in a police cell, revealing he was once forced to perform for fellow inmates.
The artist made the revelation during a candid chat with Zikoko media, where he opened up about the incident involving a powerful Nigerian billionaire.
According to Skales, he and his manager were arrested following a dispute with the billionaire. While his manager was detained, the police asked Skales to leave, but he refused, insisting he wouldn’t abandon his colleague. His decision landed him behind bars for the night.
Inside the cell, one of the inmates quickly recognised the singer and questioned why a celebrity would be in jail. Skales explained his ordeal, and as word spread among other detainees, he was asked to meet the cell’s informal leader. The cell boss requested a performance, offering him a mat to sleep on instead of the bare floor in exchange.
Skales obliged, performing his hit songs Shake Body and Emergency for the inmates. The performance earned him sympathy, with the cell boss saying he didn’t deserve to be locked up. The singer described the experience as humbling and highlighted the poor conditions within the detention facility.
He added that detainees only get food when their families send money, a harsh reality he witnessed firsthand. Upon his release, Skales returned with food for the inmates as a token of appreciation for how they treated him during his time in custody.
