By Bunmi Toki
Embattled Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, has revealed that fellow inmates in Police Cell crowned him “Special Marshal”, not “General Overseer” as is being circulated in some sections of the press.
Human Rights lawyer, Adesina Ogunlana, who visited the singer in police custody alongside another lawyer and human rights activist, Ayo Ademiluyi, announced this on Saturday.
The lawyer also said that the singer had been thrilling fellow inmates and policemen with free shows while in detention.
Reports circulating over the weekend had suggested that the singer who was reportedly seen with a Bible had been crowned GO by co-inmates meaning that he was also leading them in prayers.
But Ogunlana debunked this on Saturday in a post via his Facebook account, after visiting Seun at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lagos.
He also revealed that the detained singer was being treated well in custody.
“With Ayo Ademiluyi Esq this evening, after a visit to detained Seun Kuti. SK was in fine mettle and well treated in the IPO office at the SCID, Muslim Smith Street, Alagomeji, Lagos,” he wrote.
According to him, delighted upon the visit, “the lively chap (Seun) was in his elements surrounded by his doting wife and two close, devoted female relatives.”
“Contrary to reports that he had become ‘General Overseer’ in detention, he told us that his rank is SENIOR MARSHALL and that he has held a free show for the inmates, even thrilling the officers on duty!” Ogunlana added.
Seun, who was seen in a video that went viral on May 13, slapping a police officer, on the Third Mainland Bridge, turned himself in at the Ikeja Police Station in Lagos on May 15, after the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, ordered his arrest.
The son of late Afrobeat singer and activist, Fela-Anikulapo Kuti, was arraigned at the Magistrates’ Court in the Yaba area of the state for assaulting a police officer.
Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun who presided over the matter on May 16, earlier remanded Seun in police custody for 48 hours for the police to complete their investigation.
However, upon the expiration of the 48 hours, the police sought to detain him for another four days to further their investigation, an application that was also granted by the court on Thursday, May 19.
