A Chief Magistrates Court, sitting in Yaba, Lagos has turned down the Nigeria Police’s application to detain Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti in it’s custody for additional 21days before next adjournment for thorough investigation of the alleged assault on a policeman.
The court however turned down the request and ordered the police to complete their investigation within 48 hours.
Earlier, Police prosecutor, S. A. Adebese had prayed the court to remand the defendant for 21 days pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The request was however opposed by Kuti’s legal team led by Femi Falana, (SAN).
Falana urged the court not remand his client, stating that he was not aware of the remand application.
Seun Kuti was charged with assault on a police officer, an offence contrary to Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code.
A viral video of Seun Kuti assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State emerged on Saturday.
Kuti had turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja on Monday, following an order for his arrest by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba.
He was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Panti, Lagos.
The musician was granted bail on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, by the Chief Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos state.
The court has granted the police a 48-hour window to finalise their investigations, after which Kuti should be released on bail. Two sureties, who must possess landed property in Lagos, are part of the bail conditions.
