Kuti was released at about 7:45pm from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, his abode since his arrest and detention on May 15, after he surrendered himself to the police over an alleged grievous assault on an Inspector on the Third Mainland Bridge, penultimate Saturday.
Announcing his release from police custody on his verified Twitter account, activist Omoyele Sowore, who shared a video of Kuti receiving warm embraces from his supporters, wrote: “Just to announce that @RealSeunKuti has been released from @PoliceNG detention in Lagos. Hasta la victoria siempre!”
The singer’s lawyers, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN) and Kunle Adegoke (SAN), in an earlier statement assured his supporters that the absence of the Chief Magistrate, Adeola Olatunbosun, would not affect his bail.
They issued a statement following a protest that greeted announcement at the Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court that proceedings could not be held due to the absence of the Magistrate.
Protesters under the auspices of Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), African Action Congress (AAC), Movement for African Emancipation (MAE), Pan-African Consciousness Renaissance (PACOR), Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN), Movement of the People (MOP) and allies gathered at the court around 11am yesterday demanding the immediate release of Kuti from police custody.
His supporters also staged protests in Abuja and the United Kingdom, accusing the police and the court of deliberate attempts to keep the singer locked up.
