Seun Kuti, the son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, has found himself at the center of controversy as his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), raised concerns over his alleged starvation while being detained by the Nigeria Police. The lawyer also criticized the investigation conducted by Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.
Seun Kuti, a renowned afrobeat musician, was arrested and handcuffed on Monday after visiting the state police command. However, his lawyer has now revealed that Kuti’s wife was denied the opportunity to deliver a meal to her husband, despite there being no alternative arrangement to provide him with food.
In a statement released to the media, Olumide-Fusika highlighted his client’s dissatisfaction with Hundeyin’s published “investigative findings” and expressed his intention to defend Kuti against the claims made in the report at the appropriate time and venue.
Olumide-Fusika criticized Hundeyin, who holds the position of Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer and also took on the role of the Investigating Police Officer in the case. The lawyer stated that Hundeyin should have followed legal procedures by submitting the investigative report to the appropriate authorities for evaluation and possible prosecution. However, instead of doing so, Hundeyin chose to make the report public through media publications.
According to Hundeyin’s report, as cited in a Punch online publication on May 15, 2023, titled “Assault: Seun Kuti apologized, gave cop ₦12,000 to repair vehicle, police say,” Kuti allegedly caused damage to a police officer’s vehicle. The officer approached Kuti to address the situation, but the musician reportedly got out of his car and slapped the officer, as captured in a viral video. The officer subsequently reported the incident at the Police Command in Ikeja.
Hundeyin’s report further stated that following the altercation, the officer, who was alone, followed Kuti to his residence in Ikeja. Kuti allegedly apologized to the policeman and provided ₦12,000 to cover the repair costs for the damaged vehicle. The officer then lodged a complaint at the Area F Police Command in Ikeja, depositing the ₦12,000 at the counter and providing a written statement about the incident.
Seun Kuti, who had been in police custody since 8:00 am on May 15, 2023, expressed surprise that he was only asked to make a statement to the Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, around 8:00 pm that same day. Considering that Benjamin Hundeyin had already completed and published his investigative report by then, Kuti believes that his statement would serve no purpose. He has pledged to defend himself against Hundeyin’s published “investigative findings” when the time and legal procedures allow.
A consequence of the delay in taking Kuti’s statement was the refusal to allow his wife to deliver a meal to him while in detention, even though no alternative arrangements were made to provide him with food. The actions of the police have raised concerns about Kuti’s well-being, and the public is now eagerly awaiting the next steps in the police’s handling of the allegations against him.
As the situation continues to develop, Seun Kuti’s supporters and the general public are hoping for a fair and transparent resolution to the case, with the truth being revealed through due legal process.
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