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Nollywood actor and Lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo has slammed the handcuffing of Afro beats star, Seun Kuti.
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According to Mr. Okonkwo, in response to the Police’s defense of the action, it was unlawful to handcuff someone who had already voluntarily surrendered.
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Seun Kuti’s handcuffing has sparked a lot of debates online.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Kenneth Okonkwo, a veteran Nollywood actor and member of the Labour Party (LP), has criticized the Lagos State Police for their treatment of Nigerian Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti.
The police had shared photos and videos of Kuti handcuffed and with his shoes removed after confirming his arrest.
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In response to a Twitter user’s criticism of the police’s actions, the Nigerian Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that it was a normal procedure before detaining an individual.
However, Kenneth Okonkwo expressed his disagreement with the police’s actions in a social media post. He stated that it was unlawful for the police to handcuff Kuti after he voluntarily surrendered himself.
Okonkwo referred to Section 5(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which states that a suspect or defendant may not be handcuffed or restrained unless there is reasonable apprehension of violence or an escape attempt.
According to Okonkwo, since Kuti voluntarily submitted to the police, he should not be presumed to be violent or planning to escape. He emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law in Nigeria, regardless of the individual involved.
Seun Kuti had been involved in an altercation with a police officer on the Third Mainland bridge in Lagos over the weekend, during which he slapped the officer.
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The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, subsequently ordered Kuti’s arrest for investigation. On Monday, Kuti turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, accompanied by his lawyer and a family representative.
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