Youths Protest As Absence Of Magistrate Stalls Seun Kuti’s Trial

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There was confusion on Tuesday morning at the Yaba Chief Magistrates Court, Lagos State, as youths gathered outside the court to protest for the freedom of the Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti.

A source, who pleaded anonymity confirmed that in the absence of the magistrate, Adeola Olatunbosun, the trial was postponed to Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

The trial was supposed to be held today, following the plea by the police last week to extend the defendant’s stay in police custody by four days to enable them to conclude their investigation.

“The trial has been postponed till tomorrow, May 24, 2023, because the judge is not around, the source said.

In the absence of the magistrate, Adeola Olatunbosun, the court registrar adjourned the trial till May 24, 2023

However, at noon, another source revealed that the proceedings might still hold, pending when the magistrate returns.

One of the protesters, Godwin Imem, who spoke to our correspondent, lamented that the court was being unfair by allowing the musician to be kept in police custody over the same mistakes that the police make.

He said, “I just think they are trying to make a scapegoat out of Seun Kuti. I don’t see anything wrong with him slapping a policeman because the police also brutalize civilians. It’s his fundamental right to be provoked or angry, he did not steal or kill, and the officer himself was not injured.

“I just feel they are over-extending and escalating the whole issue.

“For the fact that he, Kuti has not been granted bail is very mischievous, so we want a judiciary that is fair and unbiased and that will deal with issues the way it should.”

“I am not in support of what Seun did, but, he acted as the imperfect person that he is.”

Joshua Benjamin, a hustler, who doubles as a fan of Kuti, said, “I have been beaten up by policemen countless times, Seun Kuti is a good person, and I learn a lot from him.

“Whenever he is online on Instagram, he posts things that I learn from. No matter what he has done, he should be set free,” he said.

His wife and other relatives were seen in court to show support to the singer while pursuing his bail.

They however denied speaking to the press.