The prosecution, led by S. A Adebese and Morufu Animashaun, had urged the presiding judge, Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun, to hold the defendant for 21 days pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions at his arraignment.
However, Kuti’s attorney, led by Femi Falana (SAN), begged the court not to remand his client, claiming that they were unaware of the remand application.
After hearing both parties, the magistrate asked for five-minute break to allow her to think on her own. Upon her return, the magistrate stated that she would not rely on police inquiry and thus remanded the defendant in police custody for 48 hours.
Delivering her judgment, she ordered that the musician be held in police custody for 48 hours before being granted bail in the sum of N1 million.
“Court has decided to override any public opinion and pass the judgment of the court. Following the remand application presented before the court, I am advising that the case file be duplicated and sent to the Directorate of public prosecutions within 72 hours. The defendant is hereby remanded for 48 hours in police custody to allow the police to conclude their investigation. After 48 hours, the defendant will be granted bail in the sum of N1m with two responsible sureties, a three years tax payment receipt that is verifiable; one of the sureties must have a landed property within the court jurisdiction.” she ruled.
She then adjourned the case until May 23, 2023, for further hearing.
