Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti was granted bail and released from police custody after spending seven days at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
The release followed his voluntary surrender in response to assault allegations against him. Seun Kuti’s lawyers, Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika and Mr. Kunle Adegoke, had anticipated his release after fulfilling all the bail conditions.
As news of his release spread, jubilant friends and supporters gathered outside the police station to celebrate. A viral video captured the touching moments as they embraced the musician upon his emergence.
Supporters also flocked to Seun Kuti’s Ikeja residence, eagerly awaiting his return.
In the midst of the celebrations, human rights lawyers and activists strongly condemned the alleged maltreatment Seun Kuti endured at the hands of the police.
Meanwhile, his court hearing concerning the assault charges faced a setback due to the absence of the presiding magistrate, Adeola Olatubosun. The court session was rescheduled for today.
Seun Kuti, son of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, had been placed under court-ordered detention at SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, following his arraignment for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
Initially detained for 48 hours, his detention was extended for four days to allow the police to conclude their investigation.
However, when Seun Kuti appeared in court yesterday, the session did not proceed as planned due to the magistrate’s reported absence for training.
Outside the court premises, a significant number of Kuti’s supporters staged a protest against his prolonged detention, carrying posters and banners demanding an end to police brutality and his immediate release.
Activists and supporters expressed their determination to continue fighting for justice, accusing the police and the magistrate of colluding to hinder the trial.
Seun Kuti’s lawyers stated that they had met all the conditions for his administrative bail and expressed hope that their client would be released soon, irrespective of the court’s physical sitting.
Amidst these developments, human rights lawyers decried the alleged mistreatment suffered by Seun Kuti and called on the police high command to intervene and address the situation.
Some lawyers specifically highlighted the request for a mental test, considering it an indecent treatment of the musician.