By The trial of Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has been adjourned to Wednesday by the Chief Magistrates Court in Yaba, Lagos State. The court session was unable to proceed as the presiding magistrate, Adeola Olatubosun, was absent.
According to a source at the court, Seun Kuti has been taken back to the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti. The court sitting has been rescheduled for the following day due to the magistrate’s absence.
Earlier reports stated that the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State command, was allegedly planning to have Kuti taken to the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, to declare him mentally ill. This move has raised concerns about the impact on his music career both in Nigeria and abroad.
Seun Kuti was initially charged with assaulting a police officer on Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge on May 13. The police had obtained an extension of his remand for four additional days. Additionally, they sought to collect his blood samples for medical examination as ordered by the court.
The #FreeSeunKuti campaign, supported by various organizations and individuals, has urged the Nigeria Police Force to drop what they consider to be fabricated charges and release Kuti, as he has fulfilled his bail conditions.
