Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, was on Monday, May 15, detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, in Lagos State Police Command, where he is currently undergoing interrogation for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
Seen in handcuffs, Seun was said to have turned himself in at the command headquarters, Ikeja, early in the day.
He was accompanied by a lawyer from the law firm of popular human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, representing Falana and Falana Chambers, and a family representative.
The command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who disclosed the appearance of the musician at the police headquarters, said that he had been put under arrest in line with the law.
“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 PPRO stated.
A viral video on Sunday, May 14, showed how Seun shoved and pushed a police officer, before giving him a hard slap for an unknown cause. The police officer however maintained calmness.
In their reactions, Nigerians castigated the musician for such a disrespectful act visited on a law enforcement agent.
They proposed his arrest and prosecution, to serve as a deterrent to those with no respect for the law.
On Sunday also, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, had ordered the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to arrest Seun Kuti.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said that the IGP “equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
IGP Baba assured Nigerians that acts of contempt or disdain for symbols of authority would not be tolerated while offenders of such hideous crimes would be brought to book.