Seun Kuti’s Concert in Spain Cancelled As Nigerian Police Continue Detention

Seun Kuti’s Concert in Spain Cancelled As Nigerian Police Continue Detention

The Lagos State Chief Magistrate in Yaba, Mrs. Adeola Olatunbosun, amended her order and granted the Nigeria Police Force’s request to conduct a drug test on Kuti.

Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti will be unable to attend his concert in Majorca Island, Spain, today (Saturday) as the Nigeria Police Force continues to detain him, all in a bid to find incriminating evidence on him.

SaharaReporters had on Friday reported that the Lagos State Chief Magistrate in Yaba, Mrs. Adeola Olatunbosun, amended her order and granted the Nigeria Police Force’s request to conduct a drug test on Kuti.

This online reporter had learnt that the Chief Magistrate inserted a drug test order in her ruling while writing the order.

Family sources, however, had revealed that doctors contacted by the police to obtain Seun Kuti’s blood refused to cooperate with the police authorities, saying they would only take his blood if he voluntarily consented to it.

Meanwhile, Seun Kuti remains in police detention and cannot attend his concert in Spain.

“Seun’s concert slated for Majorca, Spain, tomorrow (Saturday) will be postponed after his departure from Nigeria was cancelled twice. The process is now stalemated as Seun remains in detention,” a source revealed on Friday.

Mallorca (Majorca) is one of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean.

It’s known for beach resorts, sheltered coves, limestone mountains, and Roman and Moorish remains. Its capital, Palma, has a nightlife, the Moorish Almudaina royal palace, and the 13th-century Santa Mara Cathedral.

SaharaReporters reported that the musician was rushed back to the magistrate court in Yaba, Lagos, on Thursday by the police to seek a four-day extension ‘to conclude investigations’.

Seun was arraigned in court on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting a police officer, an offense contrary to Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act. But he was granted suspended bail on Tuesday.

SaharaReporters earlier on Thursday reported that the musician could not return home yet due to a delay caused by the Chief Magistrate and Registrar of the Yaba Court in Lagos.

It was learned that the police took Seun to court again on Thursday to seek the magistrate’s permission to hold him for more days without informing the musician’s lawyers.

“Seun Kuti was rushed back to court by police to get four more days’ extension to conclude investigations.

“This is apparently to forestall the commencement of his summer tour that should start on Saturday. The case was dropped, and his lawyers are heading to court. Instead of signing his bail bond, the Chief Magistrate commenced a secret hearing that didn’t notify his lawyers,” a source privy to the hearing had said.

The Chief Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos, granted bail to Seun Kuti on Tuesday and ordered the police to finish their investigation into the alleged assault of a policeman in 48 hours and allow Kuti to go home.

The Chief Magistrate also asked the police to refrain from prosecuting him.

She had directed that the case file be duplicated and forwarded to the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions for prosecution.

SaharaReporters reported on Wednesday that the police invaded Seun Kuti’s house to search for evidence of cannabis and weapons to incriminate him.

Police sources told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the operatives, however, found only a “gun license,” and when they requested to see the gun, they were told it had been sent for repairs.

SaharaReporters earlier on Tuesday reported that the police stormed the residence of Seun Kuti and ransacked it in search of evidence to nail the Afrobeat singer.

SaharaReporters had learned that the operatives thoroughly combed it as they fished for evidence to charge him with a separate crime.

It was learned that the officers took the musician along when they went to his house and seized his wife’s mobile phone.

On Thursday, it was also reported that the police tried to search Seun’s Mercedes-Benz car, which was parked at his friend’s house.
However, it was learned that they could not enter the car.

Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, was arrested and handcuffed on Monday following his visit to the state police command.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the musician kept his word that he would cooperate with the police by turning himself in on Monday to cooperate with the investigation into the allegation that he assaulted a policeman, as captured in a viral video.

Meanwhile, human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, accused the police on Friday of seeking revenge and not justice.

“PoliceNG asks the Chief Magistrate in Lagos to allow them to forcefully draw @RealSeunKuti’s blood for testing after they didn’t find anything in his house or car during the search. This is about revenge, not justice! #RevolutionNow,” he had tweeted.