PUNCH
The PUNCH has exclusively gathered that following the incident that led to the arrest and detention of Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti on Monday, the suspect had apologised and given the sum of ₦12,000 to the assaulted officer to repair his damaged vehicle on Saturday.
Impeccable sources privy to the incident confirmed the development to our correspondent on Monday, adding that the officer had trailed Seun Kuti to his Akin Osiyemi residence off Allen Avenue, Ikeja after the musician bashed his vehicle on the Third Mainland bridge.
A source said, “Seun Kuti was the one that bashed the officer’s vehicle, and the policeman followed him to call his attention to it, but the musician alighted from his car and slapped the policeman as seen in the trending video. However, the officer reported the incident at the Police Command in Ikeja.”
“The policeman was alone. After the altercation, he followed Seun Kuti to his home in Ikeja, and the musician apologised to the policeman and gave him ₦12,000 to repair his damaged vehicle.
“But the officer reported the incident at the Area F Police Command in Ikeja, and deposited the ₦12,000 at the counter while he gave a written statement concerning the incident,” another source said.
The PUNCH reports that Seun Kuti is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department, popularly known as Panti, in Yaba, Lagos State, following a visit to the FCID over the alleged assault.
The musician was accompanied by a lawyer representing Falana and Falana Chambers, the law firm of popular human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN.
Our correspondent exclusively obtained a video clip and pictures showing the musician in handcuffs while being paraded by police officers at the SCID, Lagos.
Responding to an inquiry concerning Ṣeun’s apology and monetary tip, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said Seun Kuti had on Saturday apologised to the assaulted policeman and given him the sum of ₦12,000 for vehicle repair.
Hundeyin said, “Although the investigation is still ongoing, but your correspondence is correct. Seun Kuti apologized to the officer on Saturday, and gave him ₦12,000 to repair his damaged vehicle, after the officer followed him to his house in Ikeja after the altercation.
“Fortunately, the policeman had earlier reported the incident at the Area F Police Command, and deposited the ₦12,000 with the Command, before the video of the assault went viral on social media.”
The PUNCH reported that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba had earlier ordered the arrest of the musician.
The IG equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the alleged assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
This was as the musician alleged attempted murder of himself and his family by the police officer in question, in a social media post obtained by our correspondent on Saturday night.
