Seun Kuti’s Trial Stalled Following Chief Magistrate‘s  Absence

By Akinwale Kasali

Seun Kuti, Son of Afrobeat Legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s ongoing trial at the Yaba Magistrate Court, Lagos, for assaulting a Police Officer an offence contrary to Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, was stalled on Monday following the absence of  Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun.

Kuti was arraigned before the Magistrate Court by the Lagos State Police Command on May 16, 2023.

Confirming the absence of the Magistrate, the Registrar of the Court, Babalola gave a new date, September 27, 2023, for the continuation of the proceeding.

It would be recalled that on May 24, Magistrate Olatunbosun in her ruling stated that the police cannot be the complainant and also the prosecutor in the case, prompting her to, therefore, request the  Department of Public Prosecution’s advice to continue the prosecution.

She said, “I need the advice of the DPP to know whether he should be prosecuted or not.”

She thus adjourned the case till July 3, 2023, for the DPP’s advice, but her absence has stalled the trial, which has been adjourned to September 27, 2023.