– ‘Temper justice with mercy,’ Peter Okoye apologises on behalf of Kuti, begs Police
Police Service Commission (PSC) has frowned at the action of Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat maestro, Fela Kuti wherein he slapped a policeman, saying he will serve as example on the perils of harassing any uniformed personnel.
In a video that has gone viral, the musician wearing a red shirt atop a white pair of trousers was seen slapping an officer standing by a police van.
“You dey mad?”, he repeatedly asked in pidgin while slapping the policeman.
In a statement on Sunday, Chairperson of the PSC, Solomon Arase, said no matter the offence, nobody had the right to assault a police officer on official duty.
PSC’s Spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, quoted Arase as expressing anger at the effrontery of the younger Kuti to slap the policeman.
“We must, as civilized people, explore established channels of complaints against alleged infractions by law enforcement officials rather than this uncouth behaviour of assaulting the country’s symbol of authority. We look forward to the prompt prosecution of Kuti to act as a deterrent to others,” Arase was quoted as saying.
Earlier, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, had ordered the arrest of Kuti over the assault captured in viral video.
Seun Kuti had via Instastory tried to justify the assault, alleging that the policeman attempted to kill him and his family members.
He also claimed that the policeman had apologized and he had forgiven him.
Kuti said: “He tried to kill me and my family. I have the proof but I no dey chase clout. He has apologized and I have agreed not to press charges. Make una mind una business make the poor guy no lose him job.”
On the order to arrest him, the singer said he welcomed the investigation
“I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation! I also pray to the IG that whoever is wrong should be indicted,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Nigerian singer, Peter Okoye of P-Square, has apologised to the Nigeria Police on behalf of Seun Kuti, appealing that the Police should temper justice with mercy over Kuti’s action.
Speaking on the incident, Okoye took to Twitter on Sunday and condemned the action as he pleaded with the security agency to handle the case with utmost mercy.
Okoye tweeted, “Dear @PoliceNG, What Seun did was wrong! Please temper justice with mercy!”
Dear @PoliceNG,
What Seun did was wrong!
Please temper justice with mercy!🙏🏽— Peter Okoye MrP (@PeterPsquare) May 14, 2023
For those tagging me and expecting me to be excited about the Police incident! Pls Stop! As a people we just want a country where no one is above the law and a place of Law and Order! Everybody go dey alright las las! Happy Sunday.— Peter Okoye MrP (@PeterPsquare) May 14, 2023
Quite an unfortunate incident and from reports, it seems Seun’s family was in danger hence the altercation.
When you understand what happens when a man is put in a situation to protect his family from any form of danger, our emotions get the better of us.
I ask and plead…— Peter Okoye MrP (@PeterPsquare) May 14, 2023