UPDATE: Seun Kuti arrested and detained for alleged assault
Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti has been arrested and is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department, popularly known as Panti, Lagos State for an alleged assault on a police officer on Saturday .
The musician was accompanied by an attorney representing Falana and Falana Chambers, the law firm of popular human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN.
Our correspondent has obtained an exclusive video clip and photos showing the musician in handcuffs during a parade in front of police officers at the SCID in Lagos
The PUNCH had reported that a viral video of Seun Kuti assaulting a police officer on the Third Continental Bridge in Lagos State emerged on Saturday.
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, therefore ordered the arrest of the singer.
The IG also ordered a prompt and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the alleged assault and the prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
It was then that the musician alleged an attempted murder of himself and his family by the police officer in question, in a post on social networks obtained by our correspondent on Saturday evening.
However, following the IG's arrest order, Mr. Kuti said in another Instagram post, "I welcome the investigation and will extend my full cooperation! 'IG so that anyone who is wrong is charged."
Indeed, the Police Services Commission is demanding the musician's immediate prosecution, adding that no one has the right to assault a police officer in uniform and on official duty, regardless of the offense committed by the officer.
Following the development, Falana, SAN, said the musician sought his legal services, adding that Seun Kuti had evidence to defend his action.
Falana said: "I am his lawyer and he informed me. He certainly has evidence. This is not the first time he has come into contact with the police.
"He (Seun) is going to report to the police tomorrow morning. There's no problem."
The musician faces three years in prison
According to Section 356 of the Nigerian Penal Code Act, if convicted of assaulting the yet to be named police officer, Ṣeun Kuti is liable to three years in prison .
The law reads: "Anyone who deliberately assaults, resists or obstructs a police officer in the performance of his duties, or any person acting in favor of a police officer in the performance of his duties is guilty of a felony and is liable to three years in prison."
The PUNCH reports that Kuti in a 12-second video clip that went viral on Saturday showed Kuti, who was wearing a red shirt and white pants, pushing a police officer, who was standing next to a Toyota police van Hilux. He then slapped the cop, yelling, "Are you crazy, are you crazy?"
A motorist, who filmed the incident from his car, was heard saying, "Omo na Kuti o. Na better news is this."
PSC demands legal action against the musician
The Police Services Commission has demanded immediate prosecution of Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, for allegedly assaulting a police officer at the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State on Saturday.
CPS Chairman Dr Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police, said bringing Seun to court would have a chilling effect on other citizens, adding that no one has the right to assault a police officer in uniform and on official duty, regardless of the offense committed by a police officer.
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Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti has been arrested and is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department, popularly known as Panti, Lagos State for an alleged assault on a police officer on Saturday .
The musician was accompanied by an attorney representing Falana and Falana Chambers, the law firm of popular human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN.
Our correspondent has obtained an exclusive video clip and photos showing the musician in handcuffs during a parade in front of police officers at the SCID in Lagos
The PUNCH had reported that a viral video of Seun Kuti assaulting a police officer on the Third Continental Bridge in Lagos State emerged on Saturday.
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, therefore ordered the arrest of the singer.
The IG also ordered a prompt and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the alleged assault and the prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
It was then that the musician alleged an attempted murder of himself and his family by the police officer in question, in a post on social networks obtained by our correspondent on Saturday evening.
However, following the IG's arrest order, Mr. Kuti said in another Instagram post, "I welcome the investigation and will extend my full cooperation! 'IG so that anyone who is wrong is charged."
Indeed, the Police Services Commission is demanding the musician's immediate prosecution, adding that no one has the right to assault a police officer in uniform and on official duty, regardless of the offense committed by the officer.
Following the development, Falana, SAN, said the musician sought his legal services, adding that Seun Kuti had evidence to defend his action.
Falana said: "I am his lawyer and he informed me. He certainly has evidence. This is not the first time he has come into contact with the police.
"He (Seun) is going to report to the police tomorrow morning. There's no problem."
The musician faces three years in prison
According to Section 356 of the Nigerian Penal Code Act, if convicted of assaulting the yet to be named police officer, Ṣeun Kuti is liable to three years in prison .
The law reads: "Anyone who deliberately assaults, resists or obstructs a police officer in the performance of his duties, or any person acting in favor of a police officer in the performance of his duties is guilty of a felony and is liable to three years in prison."
The PUNCH reports that Kuti in a 12-second video clip that went viral on Saturday showed Kuti, who was wearing a red shirt and white pants, pushing a police officer, who was standing next to a Toyota police van Hilux. He then slapped the cop, yelling, "Are you crazy, are you crazy?"
A motorist, who filmed the incident from his car, was heard saying, "Omo na Kuti o. Na better news is this."
PSC demands legal action against the musician
The Police Services Commission has demanded immediate prosecution of Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, for allegedly assaulting a police officer at the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State on Saturday.
CPS Chairman Dr Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police, said bringing Seun to court would have a chilling effect on other citizens, adding that no one has the right to assault a police officer in uniform and on official duty, regardless of the offense committed by a police officer.
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