By Popoola Ademola
A Chief Magistrate’s court sitting at Sabo-Yaba, Lagos, remanded popular Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, over the alleged assault of a Police officer.
The court ordered he be remanded for 48 hours in police custody in Lagos, over the assault of a Police inspector with the name, Mohammed Aminu.
Background
It would be recalled that a viral video surfaced online, which showed how the Afro best singer Seun Kuti, assaulted a police officer in uniform at the popular Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.
According to the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Lekan Ogundare, the act by Kuti was established on May 13, 2023.
Following the viral video, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, ordered the immediate arrest of the musician, but the musician turned himself in on Monday.
The police subsequently arraigned the youngest son of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti, to a magistrate court where the magistrate was informed about the act.
Court hearing/ Police reaction
According to S. A Adebeshin, who led the prosecution, Kuti violated Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act.
The police further prayed to the court in a 12-paragraph affidavit, that he be remanded for 21 days pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
Adebeshin told the court that the musician drove recklessly on the highway, inflicted injury on the police, and the victim suffered several slaps from the culprit.
He also included that the defendant also obstructed the police inspector’s lawful duty, which according to him may cause conflict.
The defendant’s lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), responding to the application told the court that he was not aware of the remand application against his client, as his client doesn’t fit for such an application
He argued that his client had turned himself in and the offence committed by Kuti doesn’t warrant such an application and should be entitled to bail.
“The offences and punishment are straightforward and well stated under the law.
“Saying that Kuti refused to write a statement, is not enough to bring an application for detention. He is not a flight risk. He should be admitted to bail on terms that he shows up anytime he is needed by the court,” he argued.
One of the Police legal team, M. A. Animashaun, submitted that Kuti be temporarily deprived of liberty in order to ensure a thorough investigation.
He claimed that Kuti’s victim is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
Kuti’s counsel also submitted that the defendant has been deprived of food since detention in police custody, while his wife has also been stopped from bringing him food.
Court decision
The magistrate, Adeola Olatunbosun, ruled that the defendant be remanded for 48 hours till the Police finish their investigation.
She also admitted to his bail in the sum of N1 million along with two sureties in the same sum but after the remand hour.
“Following the remand application presented before the court, I am advising that the case file be duplicated and sent to the Directorate of public prosecutions within 72 hours.
“The defendant is hereby remanded for 48 hours in police custody to allow the police to conclude their investigation. After 48 hours, his bail will take effect.
The magistrate included that one of the sureties should be a landlord within the court’s jurisdiction
“The defendant will be granted bail in the sum of N1m with two responsible sureties, a three years tax payment receipt that is verifiable; one of the sureties must have a landed property within the court jurisdiction.”
Subsequently, she concluded by adjoining the case till May 22, 2023.
