Seun Kuti in police hand-cuff
Seun Kuti, Afro-beat act, was on Tuesday, ordered by the magistrate’s court sitting in Yaba, Lagos, to be detained by police for additional 48 hours to enable investigation into the alleged assault of one of its officers.
The singer was taken to court on Tuesday afternoon and charged with assault on a police officer.
The offense is contrary to Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act.
S.A Adebese, police prosecutor, prayed the court to remand the defendant for 21 days pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
However, Femi Falana, the singer’s counsel, pleaded with the court not to remand his client.
In his verdict, Adeola Olatunbosun, the chief magistrate, granted the police application to keep the singer in custody but only for additional 48 hours, ruling also that the police should complete its investigation within the next 48 hours and release Kuti on bail.
The singer was apprehended in the early hours of Monday and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) popularly known as Panti.
Seun’s arrest came after he was filmed assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.
A short video clip went viral on Saturday showing Kuti, who wore a red shirt and white pair of trousers, pushing the policeman, who stood beside a Toyota Hilux police van.
Shouts the singer as he proceeds to slap the officer: “You dey crase, you dey mad?”
The footage stirred a chorus of condemnation on social media with netizens expressing disappointment at Kuti’s actions.
