Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Femi Falana and Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, who are both lawyers of embattled Afrobeat star, Seun Kuti, have said that their client’s trip to Switzerland is not illegal.
Seun Kuti travelled to Switzerland on Thursday, May 24, to kick off his Europe tour in Zurich amid his ongoing case with the police.
His lawyers defended the trip, saying he is currently not being prosecuted in court by the Nigeria Police Force or any other prosecuting authority.
Commenting on the singer’s trip, Falana told Punch;
“Seun Kuti will stand his trial. Also, the Magistrate has ordered the police to send the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution.
“Anytime he is required to stand his trial, he will appear in court. Seun Kuti is presumed innocent until the contrary is proven. As far as we’re concerned, once the state files a charge and a date is fixed for arraignment, he will be in court.
“There’s nothing illegal about a person travelling out of the country while they’re on bail. The issue of depositing his passport was not one of the conditions for his bail. As far as we’re concerned, once the state files a charge and a date is fixed for arraignment.”
Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, noted that Seun Kuti is currently not being prosecuted as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is yet to reach a decision on his case.
He said;
“He will surely be in court on July 3, 2023, and on each day he’s required to appear. It should, however, be noted that Mr Seun Kuti is not being prosecuted in court whether by the NPF or any other prosecuting authority.
“The DPP, after receiving and studying the police investigation file will decide the offences Mr Kuti is to be charged with. It is after being charged with specific offences that Mr Kuti will be arraigned to take his plea. If he pleads not guilty, trial dates will be set, and the trial will take place. If he pleads guilty, he will be sentenced to appropriate punishment.”
