SEUN KUTI: There’s no law that says suspect can’t be handcuffed – Nigerian Police

SEUN KUTI: There’s no law that says suspect can’t be handcuffed – Nigerian Police

As the ongoing prosecution of famous artiste, Seun Kuti, continues to generate reactions on social media, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and the Head of the Nigerian Police Force Chambers, DCP Simon Lough, SAN, has said that there is no law that says a suspect cannot be handcuffed.

It will be recalled that since the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, posted a video social the afrobeat artiste being handcuffed at the state Police headquarters, many Nigerians have been castigating the police operatives.

Many people have insisted that there was no basis for handcuffing the music artiste since he voluntary turned himself up at the State police command after assaulting an officer of the force on the Lagos road.

But the senior lawyer, in a statement on Friday, said there was no iota of truth in the claims, because there exist no law that says any suspect cannot be handcuffed by the Police.

The SAN noted that “It has become imperative to correct some misrepresentations being circulated on social media solely to garner sympathy from the public and to divert attention from the fact in issue.”

He said: “First of all, there is no law that prohibits the use of handcuffs to restrain a suspect especially a suspect that has shown tendency of violence like Seun Kuti that has already shown act of violence by attacking and slapping a police officer in uniform and even threatened his wife in the process.

“Secondly, section 10(4) of Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State allows the taking of photographs of suspects arrested for identification and record purpose. Seun Kuti was not paraded as erroneously alleged by his lawyers. It was his photograph, fingerprints, name and address that were taken as provided for in the law. The Nigeria Police hereby assures the public and all law abiding Nigerians that the Force will not engage in media trial of the case but would carryout investigation in line with the law, professionalism and international best practices.

“The Nigeria Police equally appeals to the defence team of Seun Kuti to desist from engaging in media trial/defence of their client and allow the judicial process take its full course. The Nigeria Police reiterate its adherence to the rule of law and the protection of rights and liberties of the citizens,” he further stated.