Seun Kuti’s Lawyers Condemn Police Parade and Handcuffing

Lawyers representing Seun Kuti, the renowned musician and activist, have expressed their disapproval of the police’s decision to parade and handcuff their client.

The condemnation comes in response to an incident that occurred on Saturday, May 13, 2023, when Seun had an encounter with a policeman on the Third Mainland Bridge.

Earlier today, Seun reported himself to the Commissioner of Police at the Police Command in Ikeja, accompanied by his legal representatives, Femi Akinyemi from Falana and Falana chambers.

However, instead of facing interrogation at the station, it was decided that he would be transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Unit at Panti, Yaba.

Prior to his transfer, Seun was subjected to a public parade, during which he was handcuffed, and his photograph was taken by the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Hundeyin.The photograph was then shared with the media.

This action has raised concerns among Seun’s legal team regarding the violation of Section 9 of the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which explicitly prohibits the parade of criminal suspects in Lagos State.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, the lead counsel representing Seun criticised the police for disregarding the law they are meant to uphold.

He highlighted that the police’s decision to handcuff the musician was also illegal, as it contravenes Section 5 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

Olumide-Fusika emphasised that according to law, Seun is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and therefore subjecting him to such treatment before the completion of the legal process was unjust.

Following the parade, Seun was then transported from Ikeja to Panti in a long convoy of heavily armed personnel. He is currently being held at the Panti police formation while awaiting the next steps in the legal process.

The legal team of Seun now awaits the actions of the police in relation to the alleged misdemeanor.