The absence of Yaba Magistrates’ Court Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun has further stalled the trial of Afrobeat Musician Seun Kuti.
In the absence of the chief Magistrate, Olatunbosun, the registrar, Mr Babalola, adjourned the case until September 27, 2023, for the continuation of the proceeding.
Magistrate Olatunbosun was supposed to have resumed her administrative leave today, thus she was not in court.
Newsclick Nigeria had previously reported that the Afrobeat musician was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command on May 16, 2023.
The defendant was charged with assault on a police officer, an offence contrary to Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act.
Meanwhile, on May 24, Magistrate Olatunbosun in her ruling stated that the police cannot be the complainant and also the prosecutor of the case. She, therefore requested the DPP’s advice to continue the prosecution.
She said, “I need the advice of the DPP to know whether he should be prosecuted or not.”
She thus adjourned the case till July 3, 2023, for the DPP’s advice.
However, today the case was further adjourned for the continuation of proceeding following the absence of Magistrate Olatunbosun.