Lagos State Police Command has said that it was a ‘normal procedure’ to have Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti handcuffed since he was being taken into detention.
The musician, who is currently in police custody, was handcuffed and taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, SCIID, in Panti for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba had ordered his arrest after he was captured on video assaulting a police officer in uniform on 3rd Mainland Bridge.
However, some Nigerians, upon seeing Kuti handcuffed, called out the police for what they what they termed ‘criminal treatment’ of a person who wasn’t yet convicted and only turned himself in for interrogation.
A curious Nigerian on Twitter asked the Nigeria Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, if the handcuff was necessary.
The Police replied that it was standard procedure.
@Ajinomoto wrote: “Was the handcuff necessary and why collect his shoe? NPF sha”.
Adejobi responded, “It seems you are not familiar with detention. With this question. Anyway, it’s a normal procedure before detention.”