The Lagos State Police Command has explained why Afrobeat Musician, Seun Kuti, was handcuffed even though he turned himself in after two days of hiding.

Seun, one of the sons of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Ransom Kuti, was arrested on Monday morning for allegedly assaulting a policeman in Lagos on Saturday.

Photograph of the singer being escorted by the police in handcuff have been widely circulated on different social media platforms.

Different people had, on Monday, taken to their Twitter handle to criticize the police for handcuffing Seun Kuti.

But in a swift response, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained why the musician was handcuffed.

Hundeyin, on Twitter, said: “Because the law empowers us to handcuff any suspect who has shown propensity for violence and propensity for evading justice.”

On his part, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that handcuffing any suspect before detention is standard procedure.

He said this in response to an inquiry via his Twitter handle on Monday.

A tweep, Omo David, questioned the police for handcuffing Seun Kuti after he walked in saying: “Was the handcuff necessary, and why collect his shoe? NPF sha.”

Adejobi responded saying: “It seems you are not familiar with detention? With this question. Anyway, it’s a normal procedure before detention.”

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, had ordered Seun’s arrest after a video of the musician assaulting a policeman surfaced online.

As soon as the news broke out, Seun went into hiding. He however resurfaced on Monday and reported to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters. He was accompanied by his lawyer, Mr. Olumide-Fusika, SAN, and another lawyer, Mr. Femi Akinyemi from Falana and Falana Chambers, the law firm of popular human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN. (Based on reports from Daily Trust and Nigerian Tribune)

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