Emmanuel Ukudolo l Tuesday, 23 May 2023
IKEJA, Nigeria – The Lagos State Police Command has finally released Afrobeat singer, Seun Anikulapo Kuti who has been in incarceration for slapping a police office on the third mainland bridge.
He blocked the officer on the bridge, where he shoved, intimidated and slapped the officer, whom he said drove dangerously putting his life and those of his family at risk.
He was released exactly on his 9th night in police detention from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID and brought to the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, Lagos, where he was released to his family, friends and associates few minutes ago.
Seun Kuti could be seen hugging and rejoicing with the crowds that besieged the command. He was beaming with smiles, taking selfies with as many as possible that came to rejoice with him.
Seun Kuti surrendered himself to the Lagos State Police command a day after the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba ordered his arrest and prosecution. He surrendered himself to the police in company of his lawyer and a family member.
Since then he has been in police detention. He was twice arraigned before Magistrate Abiola Olatubosun. In the first instance by Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin, who prayed that the police be allowed to detain the musician for 21 days for investigation.
The magistrate granted 48 hours to the police to remand him for investigation, following which plain clothes policemen invaded his home in Ikeja to execute a search warrant.
He was rearraigned again before the same court but this time the prosecutors were senior advocates from the police legal division, led by DCP, Simon Lough (SAN), Yetunde Cardoso, P.A. Egbunike, Umar Bello, Cyril Ajifor, Mr. Moruf Animashaun, Ayodele Oladiran, S.A Adebesin, Emmanuel Eze, V.I Ekperezie and Idowu Osungbure.
Seun Kuti was represented by Olumide Fusika and Kunle Adegoke, SANs.
The prosecution however got a four day remand order against Seun Kuti. His house was searched again with him in handcuff but nothing was discovered by the search team.
Since then, the police authorities have been playing hide and seek with his prosecution, fuelling criticism from Nigerians. Today, his trial could not proceed following the absence of the Magistrate who is said to have gone for a special training.
