Seun Kuti hires Femi Falana to defend him as he hands himself into the Lagos State Police Command

AFROBEAT musician Seun Kuti has vowed to defend himself rigorously in court when charged by the Lagos State Police Command after he surrendered himself at the force headquarters today un response to being declared wanted.

Seun, 40, the sun of musical legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, was declared wanted by the inspector general of police Usman Baba, after slapping a policeman on the Third Mainland Bridge last week. Mr Baba asked the Lagos State police commissioner to arrest Seun but this morning, the singer handed himself in voluntarily at the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command in Panti Street, Yaba.

Accompanied by a lawyer representing Falana Chambers, the law firm of popular human rights activist, Femi Falana, Seun reported to the front desk, after which he was promptly arrested. He was subsequently handcuffed and his photograph taken in line with police procedure.

Mr Baba has ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the alleged assault and prosecution of Seun accordingly. Seun claimed that the officer he slapped threatened to kill him and the members of his family, which is what prompted him to react that way.

Seun said: “I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation. I also pray to the inspector-general of police that whoever is wrong should be indicted.”

Nigeria's Police Service Commission (PSC) has also demanded the immediate prosecution of the musician, adding that no one has the right to assault a policeman in uniform and on official duty, no matter the offence committed by the police officer. However, Mr Falana said the musician had sought his legal services and has evidence to defend his actions.

Mr 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."

According to section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, if found guilty of assault against the yet-to-be-named police officer, Ṣeun Kuti is liable to spend three years in prison. According to the act, anyone who assaults, resists, or wilfully 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.

PSC chairman, Dr Solomon Arase, a retired inspector-general of police, said Seun’s arraignment would serve as a deterrent to other citizens, adding that no one has the right to assault a policeman in uniform. He demanded the immediate prosecution of Seun Kuti.