The Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos state has remanded Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, for 48 hours in police custody for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
At his arraignment before Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun, the prosecution led by S. A Adebese and Morufu Animashaun asked the court to remand the defendant for 21 days pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
However, Kuti’s counsel, led by Femi Falana, SAN, asked the court to not remand his client, stating that they were not aware of the remand application.
The magistrate after listening to both parties requested five minutes of recess stating that she needed to deliberate on her own.
Upon her return, the magistrate said she would not rely on police investigation hence she remanded the defendant for 48 hours in police custody.
Delivering her judgment, she ordered that the singer be remanded for 48 hours with the police and then be granted bail in the sum of N1 million.
“Court has decided to override any public opinion and pass the judgment of the court.
“Following the remand application presented before the court, I am advising that the case file be duplicated and sent to the Directorate of public prosecutions within 72 hours.
“The defendant is hereby remanded for 48 hours in police custody to allow the police to conclude their investigation.
“After 48 hours, the defendant will be granted bail in the sum of N1m with two responsible sureties, a three years tax payment receipt that is verifiable; one of the sureties must have a landed property within the court jurisdiction.” she ruled.
She adjourned the case till May 23, 2023, for mention.
