Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, has been arrested and is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, popularly known as Panti, in Lagos State, over an alleged assault on a police officer on Saturday.
The musician was accompanied by a lawyer representing Falana and Falana Chambers, the law firm of popular human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN.
Video clips and pictures show the musician in handcuffs while being paraded by police officers at the SCID, Lagos.
It had been reported that a viral video of Seun Kuti assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State emerged on Saturday.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, as a result, ordered the arrest of the singer.
The IG equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the alleged assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
This was as the musician alleged attempted murder on himself and his family by the police officer in question, in another social media post.
However, following the IG’s order for his arrest, Mr. Kuti in another Instagram post, said, “I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation! I also pray to the IG that whoever is wrong should be indicted.”
Following the development, Falana, SAN, said the musician had sought his legal services, adding that Seun Kuti has evidence to defend his action.
Falana said, “I am his lawyer and he has briefed me. He certainly has evidence. This is not the first time he is dealing with the police.
“He (Seun) is going to report himself to the police tomorrow morning. There is no problem at all.”
The musician risks three years imprisonment
According to section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, if found guilty of assault against the yet-to-be-named police officer, Ṣeun Kuti is liable to spend three years in prison.
The Act reads, “Anyone who assaults, resists, or willfully obstructs a police officer while acting in the execution of his duty, or any person acting in aid of a police officer while so acting is guilty of felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.”
The 12-second video clip which went viral on Saturday shows Kuti, who wore a red shirt and white pair of trousers, pushing a policeman, who stood beside a Toyota Hilux police van. He then proceeded to slap the cop, as he shouted, “You dey craze, you dey mad?”
The police operative did not retaliate in the video. Apparently, Kuti’s car was stopped by the police officer on an expressway in Lagos, which seemed not to sit well with the singer.
A motorist, who filmed the incident from his car, was heard saying, “Omo na Kuti o. Na better news be this o.”
PSC demands the musician’s prosecution
The Police Service Commission has also called for the immediate prosecution of Seun Kuti, over alleged assault on a police officer on the Third Mainland bridge in Lagos State on Saturday.
The PSC Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector-General of Police, said Seun’s arraignment would serve as a deterrent to other citizens, adding that no one has the right to assault a policeman in uniform and on official duty, no matter the offence committed by a police officer.
‘He tried to kill us’, Seun Kuti explains police assault
Explaining the reasons he assaulted the police officer via his Instagram page, Kuti alleged that the policeman tried to kill him and his family.
“He tried to kill me and my family. “I have the proof but I no dey chase clout. He has apologized and I have agreed not to press charges. “Make una mind una business make the poor guy no lose him job (You all should mind your business so the officer will not lose his job).”
Video of Seun Kuti saying ‘I slapped many policemen’ resurfaces online
Meanwhile a now viral video showing Seun Kuti boasting of having slapped a number of policemen resurfaced online.
Although it remains unclear when the recording was made, Seun could be heard saying that his action stemmed from knowing who he is. “Some of una police go slap una, una go come Instagram to explain. You know how many police I don tear slap?” he asked in pidgin.
“They say because you be Fela pikin. You no know say na because Jesus be God pikin e fit die for you? You must know who you are before you make your move. So, I make my move because I know who I am.”
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