APA – Lagos (Nigeria) The Chief Magistrates’ Court in Yaba on Tuesday ordered that Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti be remanded in police custody for alleged assault on a police officer on Saturday on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.
The presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Olatubosun, who ordered that Kuti should be remanded for 48 hours in police custody, held that the defendant should be admitted to bail in the sum of N1 million (about $2,173) with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate also directed that one of the sureties must be a landlord within the jurisdiction of the court.
Before adjourning the case until May 22 for mention, the magistrate directed the prosecutor to duplicate the case file and forward a copy to the state director of public prosecutions for advice.
The investigating police officer in the case, Mr Lekan Ogundare, had earlier told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Saturday, May 13, 2023 on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.
The police officer alleged that the defendant drove dangerously on the bridge and deliberately blocked a moving police vehicle, grabbed Inspector Mohammed Aminu attached to the Police Training College, Ikeja, while on official movement and in police uniform.
Ogundare also alleged that the defendant slapped Aminu several times on his face.
Earlier, the Police command in Lagos State had in a statement stated the Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, who allegedly assaulted a police officer, turned in himself to the police on Monday.
The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, who signed the statement, said that Kuti, in company of his lawyer and family representatives, were at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja at the early hours of Monday and was placed under arrest in line with the law.
He said that the command appreciated the public for their concern and assured that the ongoing investigation would be detailed, transparent and professionally pursued.
“Justice will be manifestly served for all parties involved,” local media reports quoted Hundeyin as saying.
It will be recalled that Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, on Saturday ordered the arrest of the Afrobeat musician for allegedly assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos after the video pf the assault went viral on social media.
Nigeria’s Police Service Commission (PSC) also condemned the alleged assault and commended the Inspector General of Police for promptly ordering Seun’s arrest and prosecution.
The Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, is the son of Nigeria’s legendry Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
GIK/APA
