Seun Kuti hires Femi Falana over assault on policeman

CITIZENS COMPASS – Late Fela Anikulapo’s son, Seun Kuti, has sought for the services of Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, to defend him following his assault on a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State. 

The video of the assault on the officer had gone viral on Saturday, May 13, 2023, prompting the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba to effect the arrest of the Ado beat legend. 

The Human Rights lawyer disclosed on Sunday that the musician had sought his legal services following the singer’s assault on a police officer.

Falana, who confirmed the development to our correspondent, also noted that the singer has enough evidence to defend himself.

He 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.”

There were speculations that a team of police drafted to effect Kuti’s arrest could not locate him upon getting to his residence.

Falana while reacting to this, said the embattled singer would turn himself in on Monday.

He said, “He is going to report himself to the police tomorrow morning. There is no problem at all.”

Recall that Falana represented the singer’s father Fela during his agitation against the Nigerian government, which resulted in his arrest in 1993. 

Citizens Compass reports that police operatives are on the trail of the singer  as some officers visited his Allen Avenue home on Sunday to arrest him but met his absence.

It was learnt that the officers were stationed at his residence but were later asked to leave the area.

On Saturday, the Inspector General of Police, Baba Alkali, ordered for Seun’s arrest after a video of him assaulting a police officer surfaced online. The singer was seen pushing and also slapping a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge.

Seun shared a post on his Instagram page last night where he stated that the officer tried to kill him.

Meanwhile, the assaulted officer has reported to the command headquarters and has given his statement of what transpired between him and the singer.

Still on the matter, Nigerian singer, Peter Okoye of P-Square has taken to his Twitter handle to apologise to the Nigeria Police on behalf of Seun. 

Okoye also appealed to the police to tamper justice with mercy over Kuti’s action, whose video has gone viral.

In the tweets Okoye condemned the action as he pleaded with the security agency to handle the case with utmost mercy.

Dear @PoliceNG, What Seun did was wrong! Please temper justice with mercy!”