Former Presidential Aspirant and convener of the YesWeFit revolutionary movement, Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese has expressed support for the decision of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to order arrest and persecute a popular Afro-beats musician and son of Legend musician, Seun Fela Kuti.
Ikubese specifically lauded the IGP over his prompt reaction to a trending video, which has caused outrage and reactions from concerned citizens at different levels over Seun’s assault on a policeman.
The popular Afro-beats musician, Seun kuti was seen in the video trending on different social media platforms, assaulting a Police officer in Uniform.
Seun kuti, while speaking on the video on Saturday evening, said the Police officer attempted to kill himself and his family, and that the officer had later apologized to him, while adding that he has forgiven the policeman, and will not be pressing any charge against him in order to protect his job.
However, the IGP, after seeing the video, order Seun’s arrest, an accelerated investigation, and his prosecution over what appears to be an assault on the law enforcement agent.
Reacting to this development through his social media page on Sunday, Ikubese, a respected Medical Doctor and Chief Medical Director of Skye hospital in Akure said, “Just now, the internet is agog with the video of an enraged Seun Kuti, the Afro beats star and son of the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti slapping a policeman on Third Mainland bridge in Lagos, Nigeria.
“We didn’t get to see the video of what transpired between the duo before the slapping saga. However, in his reaction via Instagram, Seun said the officer attempted to kill him and his family members, an allegation to which he said he has proof.
“He also claimed that the policeman had apologized and he had forgiven him. For me, my opinion on the matter can yet not be expressly projected as we are yet to hear from the police officer, for equity demands that one hears from both sides in a conflict before passing judgement.
“Having said this much, with the one-sided narrative available in the public space, I’m of the opinion that Seun should have exercised restraint. Slapping anyone, no matter who, is tantamount to assault. When that person is a police officer in uniform, on duty, the action becomes even more weighty.
“My console in all of this is that the police officer exhibited uncommon decorum in the face of the assault. He did not retaliate. He did not use his riffle. He didn’t mobilize his colleagues to “deal” with Seun. He was just calm. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) acted in good stead by promising a full scale investigation into the matter, while Seun makes an appearance at the Force Headquarters at the instance of the IGP.
“In recent times, we’ve seen the Police authority demote and even dismiss officers who in the course of their duties act unprofessionally in relating with members of the public. This measures were taken to protect members of the public from the police. While this is plausible, the police should in like manner be protected from members of the public while they carry out their official duties.
“As we await the outcome of the investigation, it’s my opinion that whoever is found guilty thereby should be made to face the dictates of the law, for where men take laws into their hands without consequences, a jungle-like, anarchic society in entrenched,” Ikubese added.
