By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The scheduled arraignment of the afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, who allegedly assaulted a police officer, was stalled on Monday (today) due to the absence of the presiding Chief Magistrate from court, Mrs. Adeola Olatunbosun, who was said to be indisposed.
Following the absence of the Yaba Chief Magistrate, the court fixed September 27, for the musician’s arraignment.
The afrobeat musician, Seun kuti, was arrested by the officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCIID), after he allegedly assaulted an Inspector of Police, Mohammed Aminu attached to the Police Training College, Ikeja, while on official movement in police uniform, on third mainland bridge, Lagos, on May 13, 2023.
The police, through his lawyers comprising Morufu Animashaun, Samsideen Adebeain and Mr O. Cyril have approached the court on May 16, 2023, for his remand, pending the conclusion of further investigation.
At the end of the police investigation, the defendant was brought before the court for arraignment, which was stalled following arguments of his counsel, who told the court that the police cannot be the complainant and also the prosecutor at the same time on the matter.
Consequently, the presiding Chief Magistrate, conceded to the defence team’s submissions, and ordered the police to forward the case’s duplicate file to the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for a legal advice.
One of the police lawyers, Mr. Cyril, who was in court on Monday, for the musician’s arraignment, said that the DPP had advised that the afrobeat musician be prosecuted for assault. Though, neither Seun or any of his lawyers was in court.
Consequently, the court registrar fixed September 27, for Seun Kuti’s arraignment.
