By Seyi Odewale
The Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday, while commending the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba, for ordering the arrest of Seun Kuti for attacking a police officer on duty, demanded his immediate prosecution.
In a video that went viral, the “Afrobeat’’ singer, wearing a red shirt atop a white pair of trousers, was seen slapping a policeman standing by a police van. While slapping the policeman, he was repeatedly asking him: “You dey mad’’? (Are you mad’’?).
The PSC Chairman, Dr Solomon Arase said in a statement that no matter the offence, nobody, including Kuti, had the right to assault a policeman on official duty.
He frowned at Kuti’s effrontery to have slapped the policeman, insisting that Nigeria is not a Hobbesian state where might is right.
“We must, as civilised people, explore established channels of complaints against alleged infractions by law enforcement officials rather than this uncouth behaviour of assaulting the country’s symbol of authority.
“We look forward to the prompt prosecution of Kuti to act as a deterrent to others,’’ Arase was quoted in the statement issued by PSC’s spokesman, Mr Ikechukwu Ani.
Ani added that Arase commended the police officer for refusing to be provoked by the action of his aggressor; a development, he said, would have been fatal.
Arase also said it was unfortunate that the incident occurred at a time when the Police Force management was dealing with officers who harassed, intimidated, or assaulted civilians.
He stressed that it was worrisome that police officers had now become victims of the actions of some uncultured elites.
He enjoined the police to use the present incident to set an example that this would never be tolerated in Nigeria, a country governed by laws, rules, and regulations.
The PSC chairman noted that the groundswell of public opinion against the conduct of the abuser was indicative of the love and respect Nigerians had for law enforcement officers.
He said this underscored the need for all police officers to continually respect the right of the populace and be professional in all their conducts.
He added that the prompt order to arrest and prosecute Kuti, who obviously had diminished the sanctity of the symbol of authority of the Nigerian nation, was a welcome development.
“The Commission demands that the culprit be arraigned immediately, and the police must ensure that the matter is followed to its logical conclusion to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police.
“The demand is in recognition of the fact that the police are the lead agency in internal security.
“Its ability to maintain law and order and to protect lives and property must be held sacrosanct,’’ Ani quoted Arase as saying.
Meanwhile, rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana said yesterday that the embattled Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, had sought his legal services following the singer’s assault on an officer of the law.
Falana, who confirmed the development yesterday, noted that the singer has enough evidence to defend himself. “I am his lawyer, and he has briefed me. He certainly has evidence. This is not the first time he is dealing with the police,” Falana said.
There were reports that a team of police drafted to effect Kuti’s arrest could not get him when it got to his residence.
Falana, however, disclosed that the embattled singer would turn himself in today. “He is going to report himself to the police tomorrow morning. There is no problem at all,” he said.
Before now, Falana had represented Seun’s father, the late Afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, during his numerous clashes with the government, which resulted in Falana’s arrest in 1993.
Seun Kuti over the weekend alleged in a social media post an attempted murder of himself and his family by the police officer in question.
He, however, noted that the police officer had apologised over an alleged attempt to murder him and his family. “He tried to kill me and my family. I have the proof but I no dey chase clout. He has apologised and I have agreed not to press charges. Make una mind una business make the poor guy no lose his job,” he said in a video.
But a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adéjọbí said: “The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to arrest Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, who was captured on video assaulting a police officer in uniform.
“The IG has equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
“IG Baba assures Nigerians that acts of contempt/disdain for symbols of authority will not be tolerated while offenders of such hideous crimes will be surely brought to book.”
Following the IG’s order for his arrest, Seun Kuti in another Instagram post, said: “I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation! I also pray to the IG that whoever is wrong should be indicted.”
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