Seun Kuti: Person who voluntarily submitted self cannot presumed to be violent – LP slams Police
Popular Nigerian actor turn, Kenneth Okonkwo, has faulted the way the Lagos State Police treated singer Seun Kuti when he voluntarily submitted himself to the police authorities.
It will be recalled that the singer, after having an altercation with a police officer in Lagos over the weekend, appeared at the Lagos State police command for possible questioning.
But on getting to the Lagos police headquarters, the singer was handcuffed and made to walk on bare feet.
As the state police command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, shared videos and pictures of the singer in handcuff on Twitter, several Nigerians berated the police over the action.
And while reacting to this on Tuesday in a series of tweets, Kenneth Okonkwo said it was unlawful for the police to handcuff the singer after he voluntarily surrendered himself. Noting that a person who voluntarily submitted to the police cannot be presumed to be violent or planning to escape.
He said, “As a spokesman for a movement seeking the entrenchment of the rule of law, I must admit that unlawful violence against Nigerian citizen should not be condoned, especially when the person is a law enforcement agent.
“However, it’s unlawful for police to handcuff Seun Kuti after he voluntarily surrendered himself. Section 5(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 states, “A suspect or defendant may not be handcuffed, bound or be subjected to restraint except there is a reasonable apprehension of violence or an attempt to escape.”
“A person who voluntarily submitted to the police can not be presumed to be violent or planning to escape. We must learn to maintain the rule of law in this country no matter who is involved.”
What kind of talk is this? After being violent to an Officer who protects your life and your properties. I don’t really know what is wrong with you people who leaves justice for unjust? Let me ask you question. If you are being bullied or your right is violated by another person, what do you do? It is that Police who you people hate will be called.