A magistrate court in Lagos on Tuesday declined to grant a request by the Nigerian Police Force asking for order to detain afro singer, Seun Kuti for 21 days. Magistrate Adeola Olatubosun, while reading her ruling, said the singer would be granted bail in the sum of N1m in 48 hours. She listed the terms of the bail. She also said that the police must conclude their investigations within the period.
Prosecutors, S. A Adebese and Morufu Animashaun, had asked the court for a detention order for 21 days to allow the police conclude their investigations. Kuti’s lawyers, led by Femi Falana (SAN) however countered the prosecution counsel saying the defence team was not aware of any prior application for remand. The court then went into recess with Magistrate Olatunbosun handing her phone to the registrar saying this was to avoid calls from both parties.
In her ruling, the magistrate said she would not rely on police investigation in her decision saying she would prefer to remand the defendant for 48 hours in police custody.
She said, “Court has decided to override any public opinion and pass the judgment of the court.
“Following the remand application presented before the court, I am advising that the case file be duplicated and sent to the Directorate of public prosecutions within 72 hours.
“The defendant is hereby remanded for 48 hours in police custody to allow the police to conclude their investigation.
“After 48 hours, the defendant will be granted bail in the sum of N1m with two responsible sureties, a three years tax payment receipt that is verifiable; one of the sureties must have a landed property within the court jurisdiction.”
The case comes up on May 23, 2023, for mention