YOUTHS PROTEST WHEN SEUN KUTI’S TRIAL IS DELAYED BY THE MAGISTRATE’S ABSENCE.

On Tuesday morning, there was commotion at the Yaba Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos State as young people gathered in front of the building to demand the release of the Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti.

The trial was delayed to May 24, 2023 because the magistrate, Adeola Olatunbosun, was not present.

Following the police’s request last week to extend the defendant’s detention by four days so they could complete their investigation, the trial was scheduled to begin today.

Due to the judge’s absence, the trial has been continued until tomorrow, May 24, 2023, according to the source.

At noon, meanwhile, a different source indicated that the proceedings might still go forward, awaiting the arrival of the magistrate.

Godwin Imem, a protester who spoke with our correspondent, bemoaned the court’s unfairness in keeping the musician in detention for the same errors that the police commit.

He remarked, “I just think they’re attempting to use Seun Kuti as a scapegoat. He slapping a cop is acceptable in my opinion because police officers frequently abuse people. He didn’t steal or kill, and the officer wasn’t hurt, so it’s his fundamental right to be outraged or provoked.

“I just think they are escalating the situation and going too far.

“We want a judiciary that is fair and unbiased and that will handle issues the way it should,” the speaker said. “The fact that he, Kuti, has not been granted bail is very mischievous.”

“I don’t agree with what Seun did, but he acted like the flawed person he is,” the speaker said.

“I have been beaten up by policemen countless times, Seun Kuti is a good person, and I learn a lot from him,” said hustler Joshua Benjamin, who also happens to be a fan of Kuti.

“He always publishes stuff on Instagram when he is online that I can learn from. Whatever he has done, he ought to be released, the man argued.