[VIDEO]: Seun Kuti arrested, detained over alleged assault on police officer

Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, has been arrested and is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, popularly known as Panti, in Lagos State, further questioning over an alleged assault on a police officer on Saturday.

Recall that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, had ordered Kuti’s arrest after he was captured in video assaulting a police officer on the 3rd Mainland Bridge last week.

If Kuti is found guilty of assault against the yet-to-be-named police officer, he is liable to spend three years in prison, according to section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act.

The Act reads,“ Anyone who assaults, resists, or willfully obstructs a police officer while acting in the execution of his duty, or any person acting in aid of a police officer while so acting is guilty of felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.”

A video shared by Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, on Monday showed the musician in handcuffs while being paraded by police officers at the SCID, Lagos.

The musician was accompanied by a lawyer representing Falana and Falana Chambers, the law firm of popular human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN.

Sharing the video Sowore wrote, ”After visiting the @PoliceNG Commissioner in Lagos earlier today, @realseunkuti was arrested, handcuffed and taken to SCIID in Panti by @PoliceNG officers apparently for further investigations and possible detention over his altercation with a police officer on the 3rd mainland bridge. @RealSeunKuti fulfilled his promise to cooperate fully with police investigations and accordingly visited the Commissioner in Lagos with his lawyers.”

After visiting the @PoliceNG Commissioner in Lagos earlier today @realseunkuti was arrested , handcuffed and taken to SCIID in Panti by @PoliceNG officers apparently for further investigations and possible detention over his altercation with a police officer on the 3rd mainland… pic.twitter.com/MTRFQhD2Ng

— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) May 15, 2023

In a social media Saturday night, the musician alleged attempted murder of himself and his family by the police officer in question.

Following IG’s order for his arrest, Mr. Kuti in another Instagram post, said, “I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation! I also pray to the IG that whoever is wrong should be indicted.”

Falana, SAN, said the musician had sought his legal services, adding that Seun Kuti has evidence to defend his action.

Falana said, “I am his lawyer and he has briefed me. He certainly has evidence. This is not the first time he is dealing with the police.

“He (Seun) is going to report himself to the police tomorrow morning. There is no problem at all.”