Absence of magistrate stalls Seun Kuti’s ‘assault’ trial

The trial of Seun Kuti, the Afrobeat singer, for alleged assault, has been stalled over the absence of Adeola Olatubosun, magistrate of the Yaba court, Lagos state. 

Seun was apprehended on May 15 after he was filmed assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The 40-year-old was detained and arraigned before the magistrate’s court in Yaba the following day.

The police sought to get an order to further keep him in custody for 21 days pending the conclusion of its investigation.

But Olatubosun ordered the police to detain him for additional 48 hours and release him on bail.

The magistrate later extended Seun’s remand for additional four days to allow the police to continue with the investigation.

Seun was released to his family on May 23 after spending eight days in police custody.

The magistrate then adjourned the proceedings until July 3 for mention.

On Monday, NAN reports that Kuti and his legal representative were present at the court. The prosecuting counsel was also present at the court. But the proceeding could not hold due to Olatubosun’s absence.

The trial was thereafter adjourned till September 27.

Earlier in June, Kuti recalled his ugly experience while in detention.

He said the first 24 hours in prison were “difficult” for him owing to the “extreme” heat and overpopulation.