Victor Ezeja
Former Presidential candidate of the Fresh Democratic Party, Rev Chris Okotie, has pleaded with the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, to show mercy upon Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, over the case of alleged assault of a police officer.
Seun Kuti has been in detention since Monday following his arrest for allegedly slapping a Police officer during an encounter in traffic on Saturday at Third Mainland Bridge.
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The matter which has raised dust across the country, has seen the Afro-music star spend four days so far in the Criminal Investigation Department of the Lagos State Police Command, Panti Yaba.
In a statement released in Lagos Thursday, and signed by his media adviser, Ladi Ayodeji, Rev Okotie made a case for amnesty for the embattled music star.
The statement reads: “I would like to urge the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to demonstrate paternal clemency towards Seun Kuti in his transgression against an authorised myrmidon of the law. “Anti-establishment is not acceptable under any guise, however, a humane superintendence is a mark of great leadership.
“The youth have been under tremendous pressure to establish a new Nigerian social order and Seun’s abrasive conduct is a tangent from that trajectory.
“I plead earnestly with the IGP to temper justice with mercy and exculpate Seun of all charges. Femi and Seun Kuti are artistic souvenirs bestowed upon us by the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and we truly appreciate the creative artistry demonstrated in their musical genre.
“Please find sufficient grace in your heart to anesthetize the gravity of this provocation.
“May the blessing of the God of heaven be vouchsafed to you in the plenitude of His Grace.”
Okotie’s message came in the wake of the court’s extension of Seun’s detention by four days.
The court had on Tuesday granted the music star bail and gave the police 48 hours to complete investigations into the case for him to be released. However, following an application by the police prosecution team led by Mr Simon Lough (SAN) the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Olatubosun of the Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos granted an extension of his remand in custody.
According to DCP Laugh, the extension of Seun Kuti’s remand was to allow further investigation into the case.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
