The Police attempted to arraign musician Seun Kuti in the Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State on Wednesday, but the attempt failed.
This was in response to the judge’s rejection to allow Kuti to be arraigned. Kuti was released from detention on Tuesday night after being held on remand for six days on court orders. On May 16, authorities sought the musician’s remand for alleged assault on a police officer.
Mr Cyril Ejiofor, who accompanied a police legal team to the court on Wednesday, requested that the singer be arraigned. He stated that the application intended to legally charge Kuti. Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Kuti’s counsel, however, contested the application. He contended that the policeMrs Adeola Olatubosun, the Chief Magistrate, had directed that the case file be sent to the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for guidance.
He begged the judge not to allow the police to prosecute and investigate simultaneously. Falana argued that the court’s decision should be followed. “The police should duplicate the case and transfer it for the DPP’s advice,” Falana suggested. Olatubosun said in her finding that she sought the DPP’s guidance before advancing with the case. She postponed the case until July 3 for further consideration. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kuti allegedly assaulted a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State on May 13.
According to the police,Kuti smacked an inspector after recklessly driving on the bridge and purposefully impeding a moving police vehicle.
