By Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has been remanded for 48 hours in police custody by a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court. The police brought Kuti to court for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Lagos, an incident that was caught on video and went viral.
The police claimed that Kuti acted contrary to Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act.
The prosecution requested the court to remand Kuti for 21 days to allow the police to complete their investigation, but his defence counsel argued that there was no basis for his client’s remand.
“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,” the SAN argued.
In addition, police officers raided Kuti’s residence in Ikeja, seizing his wife’s mobile phone and searching for exhibits. An eyewitness said that Kuti was in the vehicle with the police officers while they conducted the search.
Latest on @RealSeunKuti detention and trial. pic.twitter.com/T04l5XGy0i
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) May 16, 2023
