Nigerian rapper and singer Panshak Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince, has shared his harrowing experience of being in prison. The artist was remanded in September 2022 at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos after being accused of assaulting a police officer during a stop-and-search operation. He was released six days later after meeting his bail conditions.
Speaking on the latest episode of the *Listen* podcast, Ice Prince described his time in prison as “horrible” and unlike anything he had previously imagined.
“Whatever story you were told is not what happened. The case is over now, so I can talk about it. I spent six days in jail. It’s not a police cell; it’s prison, and there was no preferential treatment. It’s a different world,” he said.
The rapper criticized the portrayal of jail experiences by some public figures, saying, “I’ve seen a lot of celebrities and public figures who went to police cells come out to brag as if they went through some sht. If you’ve never been to prison, you ain’t seen sht yet. I don’t pray for my worst enemy to experience it.”
Despite the grim conditions, Ice Prince said he managed to make friends in prison. “I made friends in there. We hung out, chatted. It’s a different institution of higher learning,” he added.
Addressing the incident that led to his arrest, Ice Prince revealed he had been joking with the police officer during the stop-and-search. The situation escalated when he drove off while the officer was still in his car, leading to the allegations of assault.
Reflecting on his experience, the rapper emphasized the need for caution, noting that even small mistakes can lead to life-changing consequences. “There are so many innocent people in there. It wasn’t a good experience,” he said.
Ice Prince’s story highlights the complexities of interactions with law enforcement and serves as a cautionary tale about the realities of the justice system.
