“Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, in the early hours of today turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, in company of his lawyer and family representative. He has been placed under arrest in line with the law,” Hundeyin said.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti on Monday morning turned himself in after the Inspector General of Police Usman Baba ordered his arrest for slapping a police officer in uniform.
Seun was immediately handcuffed by the police.
Lagos police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin tweeted photos of the singer and said he has been placed under arrest.
“Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, in the early hours of today turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, in company of his lawyer and family representative. He has been placed under arrest in line with the law,” Hundeyin said.
“The Command appreciates the public for their concern and assures that the ongoing investigation will be detailed, transparent, professionally pursued; and justice will be manifestly served for all parties involved.”
The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Sunday called for the immediate prosecution of Seun Kuti, for alleged assault on a policeman on Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos
The Commission frowned at the viral footage of Kuti slapping and pushing a Police Inspector and urged the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Usman Alkali, to ensure that the matter was followed to a logical conclusion.
The PSC, in a statement by its chairman, Solomon Arase, said that Kuti’s action diminished the sanctity of the symbol of authority of the Nigerian state.
It warned that no one had the right to assault a policeman in uniform and on official duty.
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The commission said it was necessary for people to note that Nigeria was not a Hobbesian state where might was right.
The statement reads: “We must as a civilised people explore established channels of complaints against alleged infractions by law enforcement officials rather than this uncouth behaviour in assaulting the symbol of authority in our country.
“We look forward to the prompt prosecution of Seun to act as a deterrent to others of his ilk.
“It is unfortunate that at a time the management of the Nigeria Police was dealing decisively with officers who harass, intimidate or assault civilians on our roads and workplaces; the same police officers have become victims of the actions of some uncultured elites.”
From the footage shared on social media, the singer was seen pushing the Inspector several times without eliciting any reaction from him (policeman).
He proceeded to slap the policeman a couple of times such that other motorists alighted their vehicles and tried to calm him down.
Kuti, who had alleged that the policeman risked his life and that of his family, claimed the security operative later apologised to him.
Another video that went viral on Sunday showed the singer boasting about the number of times he had slapped policemen, noting that he was not one of those to lament on social media about police brutality.