According to exclusive information obtained by The PUNCH, Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has issued an apology and provided ₦12,000 to the police officer he assaulted in order to repair the officer’s damaged vehicle. The incident occurred on the Third Mainland Bridge, after which the officer followed Seun Kuti to his residence in Ikeja.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that Seun Kuti apologized and offered the monetary compensation to the assaulted officer. The officer reported the incident at the Area F Police Command in Ikeja and provided a written statement.
Seun Kuti is currently detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba, Lagos State, following a visit to the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) regarding the assault. He was accompanied by a lawyer from Falana and Falana Chambers, representing popular human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN. Images and video footage obtained by The PUNCH show Seun Kuti in handcuffs during his parade by police officers at the SCID.
Benjamin Hundeyin, in a telephone interview, confirmed that Seun Kuti apologized and provided ₦12,000 to the officer for vehicle repairs. He also mentioned that the officer had already reported the incident at the Area F Police Command and had deposited the compensation with the command before the video of the assault went viral.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had ordered the arrest of Seun Kuti and a thorough investigation into the assault. Seun Kuti had alleged attempted murder by the police officer against himself and his family in a social media post.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) demanded the immediate prosecution of Seun Kuti, emphasizing that assaulting a police officer in uniform and on duty is unacceptable, regardless of the officer’s actions.
Seun Kuti risks up to three years in prison if found guilty of assaulting the police officer, according to Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act.
The incident, captured in a viral video, showed Seun Kuti pushing and slapping the police officer near a Toyota Hilux police van on the Third Mainland Bridge. A bystander recorded the incident and commented on Seun Kuti’s identity, expressing surprise at the event.
Dr. Solomon Arase, Chairman of the PSC and retired Inspector-General of Police, called for Seun Kuti’s immediate arraignment, stating that it would serve as a deterrent and reiterating that assaulting a police officer is unacceptable, regardless of the circumstances.
