Femi Falana and Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika who are both counsels to embattled Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, have said that the decision of Seun to travel to Switzerland on Thursday, May 25, amid his ongoing case with the police, is not unlawful or illegal.
Seun who was dragged to court by the police after a video of him slapping and pushing a police officer surfaced online, left Nigeria for Switzerland on Thursday May 25. He jetted out barely 48 hours after he was granted bail by the court. He shared a photo of himself inside a plane as well as a video of himself at the airport with the caption, “Euro tour kicks off tonight in Zurich.”
Reacting to the development, Falana said;
“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 travelling 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.”
Also speaking, a member o his legal team, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika SAN, said Seun Kuti is currently not being prosecuted, adding that it was left to the DDP to make a decision on the matter once it receives the case file.
“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 offences Mr Kuti is to be charged with. It is after being charged with specific offences 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.”
