Femi Falana and Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, both legal counsels for Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, have emphasized that Seun’s decision to travel to Switzerland amid his ongoing case with the police is not unlawful or illegal.
Seun Kuti, who was taken to court by the police following a video showing him slapping and pushing a police officer, departed Nigeria for Switzerland on Thursday, May 25. This was just 48 hours after he was granted bail by the court. Seun shared a photo of himself inside a plane and a video at the airport, announcing the start of his Euro tour in Zurich.
Femi Falana commented on the situation, stating, “Seun Kuti will stand his trial. Also, the Magistrate has ordered the police to send the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution. Anytime he is required to stand his trial, he will appear in court. Seun Kuti is presumed innocent until the contrary is proven. As far as we’re concerned, once the state files a charge and a date is fixed for arraignment, he will be in court. There’s nothing illegal about a person traveling out of the country while they’re on bail. The issue of depositing his passport was not one of the conditions for his bail. As far as we’re concerned, once the state files a charge and a date is fixed for arraignment.”
Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika SAN, another member of Seun Kuti’s legal team, also clarified that Seun is currently not being prosecuted, and it is up to the Department of Public Prosecution (DDP) to decide on the matter after receiving the case file.
Olumide-Fusika stated, “He will surely be in court on July 3, 2023, and on each day he’s required to appear. It should, however, be noted that Mr. Seun Kuti is not being prosecuted in court, whether by the NPF or any other prosecuting authority. The DPP, after receiving and studying the police investigation file, will decide the offenses Mr. Kuti is to be charged with. It is after being charged with specific offenses that Mr. Kuti will be arraigned to take his plea. If he pleads not guilty, trial dates will be set, and the trial will take place. If he pleads guilty, he will be sentenced to appropriate punishment.”
