Tobias Sylvester
A magistrate court in Yaba has granted Afrobeat star, Seun Kuti, a ‘suspended’ bail that will come to effect after the 48 hours give to the police to complete its investigation.
KanyiDaily recalls that Seun Kuti turned himself to the police on Monday, after the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, ordered his arrest for slapping an officer on Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
On Tuesday, Seun Kuti was arraigned before the Yaba Magistrate’s Court to face charges of assaulting a police officer, a violation of Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act.
The prosecution led by S. A Adebese and Morufu Animashaun prayed the court to remand the defendant for 21 days pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
But Kuti’s counsel, led by Femi Falana, SAN, pleaded with the court not to remand his client, asserting that they were unaware of the remand application.
After hearing both parties, Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun requested a brief recess of five minutes to deliberate on the matter, instructing the registrar to keep her phone to avoid calls from both parties.
Upon the court’s resumption, the magistrate announced her ruling, stating that she would not rely solely on the police investigation.
Consequently, she ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody for 48 hours to allow the police conclude their investigation.
Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun said, “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.”
The magistrate adjourned the case for mention to May 23, 2023.
KanyiDaily had reported how police refused to grant Seun Kuti bail after an alleged futile attempt to trick him into writing a statement that would implicate him.
