[EXCLUSIVE] Assault on police officer: Falana, Olumide-Fusika forward Seun Kuti’s case to another senior lawyer
Verified information reaching NewsClick Nigeria on Tuesday morning has it that popular human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) and Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN) have handed over defence of Seun Kuti, the embattled Afrobeat singer and son of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti to another senior lawyer.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that the younger Kuti is being remanded at the State Criminal, Investigations and Intelligence Department, SCIID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos on the orders of Yaba Chief Magistrate Court for assaulting a police officer.
In a video that went viral, Seun was accused of slapping a police officer on the Third Mainland bridge on May 13 which prompted an order for his arrest by the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba. Seun however submitted himself to the police accompanied by his lawyers on Monday and was arraigned at a Sabo, Yaba Chief Magistrate Court on Tuesday which ordered his remand.
Recall that Falana had earlier said he will provide legal services to Kuti who sought his legal intervention and representation in his case against the police.
“I am his (Seun Kuti’s) lawyer and he has briefed me. He certainly has evidence. This is not the first time he is dealing with the police,” Falana had said confirming his intention to represent Seun.
However, the legal luminaries may not be available in defence of their client (Seun) today in court as both are said to be on another assignment in far away Gombe State and may be represented by another senior lawyer, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, SAN popularly known as K-RAD.
There had been speculations that both Falana and Olumide-Fusika had dropped Seun’s case against the police. However, K-RAD in an explanation said Falana did not drop the case noting that Seun’s brief had been handed over to him and that the two senior lawyers are on another assignment.
“Mr. OLUMIDE-FUSIKA, SAN who is handling it with Falana is going to Gombe to lead our team in a governorship election petition. I have to appear instead of the two,” K-RAD said.
