Released on bail, Seun Kuti to begin concert tour amid assault trial

Nigerian Afrobeat star Seun Kuti, who was facing trial for allegedly assaulting a police officer, has been released on bail and will now continue with his delayed concert tour, according to his manager, Ayo Moses. Seun, the son of legendary Nigerian musician and political activist Fela Kuti, was in court on Wednesday, where the judge ruled that only the public prosecutor, not the police, has the authority to prosecute him. The case has been postponed until July 3 for further hearings.

Seun Kuti had been held in custody for more than a week after a video surfaced showing him in a heated confrontation with a police officer on a busy Lagos road. The video appeared to show Kuti shouting and pushing the officer, but the reason for the altercation remains unclear. Kuti claimed that the officer “tried to kill me and my family.”

After the court hearing, Kuti’s lawyer, Femi Falana, emphasized that his client is presumed innocent and will continue to enjoy his rights as a responsible citizen.

While Kuti was in detention, the police conducted a search of his home, which sparked outrage among some Nigerians and his legal team. However, Lagos police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin defended the search, stating that it was necessary and authorized by the court. He mentioned that during their investigation, they found certain suspicious items that required further examination, though he did not provide additional details.

With his bail secured, Seun Kuti is expected to perform in more than a dozen countries as part of his concert tour.