- Nigerian musician Seun Kuti turns himself in after allegedly assaulting a police officer
- The son of the Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti claims that the police officer tried to ram his car
- The Grammy-nominated saxophonist and singer was seen on video shouting at the officer and later pushing and hitting him
Nigerian musician Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, turns himself into authorities after allegedly assaulting a police officer that he claims tried to ram his car.
On Monday, the Lagos state police said that an order was issued on Saturday for the arrest of Kuti, a Grammy-nominated saxophonist and singer. The incident came after a video on social media became viral showing him on the road, shouting and later pushing and hitting the officer.
Seun Kuti Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Police Officer
It remains unclear what resulted in the altercation between Kuti and the police officer, but the singer previously posted on social media. He claims the officer "tried to kill me and my family." The singer suggested that the law enforcement personnel tried to ram the car they were driving, as per Aljazeera.
Early on Monday, the saxophonist turned himself into authorities at the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command. A lawyer and a family representative accompanied him, said police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin on Twitter.
The police chief added that Kuti was arrested per the law and noted that an ongoing investigation would provide detailed, transparent, professionally pursued conclusions. Hundeyin said that justice would be served for all the parties involved in the case.
Local law authorities said they would not tolerate similar acts of contempt and disdain for "symbols of authority," adding that offenders of such horrendous crimes will surely be brought to book. The defendant is the youngest son of the famous Afrobeat legend who drove the genre to global fame in the 1980s.
Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba ordered the investigation into the incident. According to ABC News, photographs that showed Kuti in handcuffs were uploaded to Twitter by Hundeyin as they wait for the probe results.
Singer Claims Officer Tried To Ram His Car
On the other hand, reports argued that police officials turned Kuti's visit into a spectacle, with hundreds of officers taunting and mocking him as he walked by them. Femi Falana, one of Kuti's lawyers, said that he was forced to call Police Commissioner Idowu Owohunwa regarding the unruly behavior of the officers.
Before being arrested, Kuti committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement personnel regarding the controversy. In a second Instagram story, the defendant said that he hoped whoever was in the wrong would be justly indicted.
One source said that when the police commissioner arrived, he directed the defendant to be taken to the "Tactical Command." This was where Hundeyin was waiting on standby along with a police cameraman.
Hundeyin allegedly ordered Kuti to be handcuffed and told the defendant to remove his shoes and shirt. When the singer refused to remove his clothing, police officers around him turned hostile, threatening to rip his clothes if he did not comply, said Sahara Reporters.