It’s unlawful for police to handcuff Seun Kuti after he voluntarily surrendered himself – Kenneth Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo, a renowned Nigerian actor, lawyer, and politician, has strongly criticized the Lagos State Police for their treatment of singer Seun Kuti.

It can be recalled that SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, shared photos and videos on Twitter, showing Seun Kuti in handcuffs and with his shoes removed, confirming his arrest.

Many Nigerians on social media expressed their disapproval of the police’s actions in the comment section.

In response, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigerian Police Public Relations Officer, stated that it was a standard procedure before detaining an individual.

Expressing his thoughts in a series of tweets on Tuesday, Kenneth Okonkwo argued that it was unlawful for the police to handcuff the singer after he had voluntarily surrendered himself. He emphasized that a person who willingly submits to the police should not be presumed as violent or planning to escape.

He said, “As a spokesman for a movement seeking the entrenchment of the rule of law, I must admit that unlawful violence against Nigerian citizen should not be condoned, especially when the person is a law enforcement agent.

“However, it’s unlawful for police to handcuff Seun Kuti after he voluntarily surrendered himself. Section 5(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 states, “A suspect or defendant may not be handcuffed, bound or be subjected to restraint except there is a reasonable apprehension of violence or an attempt to escape.”

“A person who voluntarily submitted to the police can not be presumed to be violent or planning to escape. We must learn to maintain the rule of law in this country no matter who is involved.”