A Chief Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos has granted Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti bail over alleged assault on a police officer by the Lagos State Police Command.
The court also ordered the Nigerian police to complete their investigation into the allegation within 48 hours, and allow Kuti to return home.
The Police prosecution team,led by S. A. Adebese and Morufu Animashaun, sought the remand of the defendant for 21 days while awaiting legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.( DPP). However Femi Falana, SAN, leader of the defense team argued against the remand application, on grounds of their lack of awareness .
In her ruling, the Magistrate,Adeola Olatunbosun said that she would not solely rely on the police investigation. Consequently, she ordered the defendant to be remanded in police custody for a duration of 48 hours.
She said, “The court has decided to prioritize its judgment over public opinion.” As a result, she advised that the case file be duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions within 72 hours.
During the 48-hour remand period, the police would conclude their investigation. Following this period, the defendant would be eligible for bail, set at the sum of N1 million, provided two responsible sureties are presented. Additionally, the sureties must furnish a verifiable three-year tax payment receipt, and one of them must own a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case has been adjourned until May 23, 2023, for mention.
Seun was reportedly refused bail and moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department,Panti on Monday night, the police at the Lagos State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, after efforts allegedly tricking him to sign documents that would incriminate him for assault on a police officer failed.
