Afrobeat Singer, Seun Kuti Named ‘General Overseer’ In Detention

• Seun Kuti, the renowned Afrobeat singer and son of music legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has been detained at the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Lagos.

• Initially facing resistance from fellow inmates, Kuti successfully negotiated peace by offering a sum of money, resulting in his acceptance within the cell.

• The inmates bestowed the title of ‘General Overseer’ upon Kuti, and he now leads prayer sessions as needed. However, allegations of a “media trial” by Kuti’s defense counsel have been denied by the police.

Renowned Afrobeat vocalist and the son of the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Seun Kuti, finds himself confined within the walls of the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Yaba, Lagos.

In a rather remarkable twist, Kuti has been bestowed with the unique title of ‘General Overseer’ by his fellow inmates, who have symbolized his new role by presenting him with a Bible.

The coronation, however, faced initial opposition from the other detainees sharing the same cell. Upon his arrest on May 13, following allegations of assaulting a police officer, a viral video, and a warrant issued by Inspector-General of Police Alkali Baba, Kuti was assigned to his current cell after rigorous interrogation.

At first, the other inmates displayed hostility and demanded his removal from their midst. However, Kuti managed to defuse the tension through negotiation, promising to provide the inmates with N25,000, which he arranged for his wife to deliver.

This act of goodwill secured Kuti’s acceptance within the cell and granted him a place to occupy.

Vanguard, a trusted source, shared that Kuti, dissatisfied with the uncomfortable circumstances, refused to consume any food provided to him, even rejecting meals brought by his wife.

The hunger strike persisted for nearly a day and a half before Kuti finally decided to break it by resuming his eating routine.

Surprisingly, in response to this, the other inmates chose to honor Kuti by proclaiming him the ‘General Overseer‘ of the cell, presenting him with a Bible.

According to insiders, Kuti now leads the inmates in prayer sessions whenever the need arises. Visitors, including his elder brother Femi, other family members, friends, and legal representatives, have been permitted to see Kuti during his detention.

Addressing the allegations made by Kuti’s defense counsel regarding a “media trial,” the police have categorically denied parading him publicly, asserting that they only captured his photograph and fingerprints in accordance with standard procedure.

They have urged the defense to refrain from engaging in such practices and instead allow the judicial process to unfold naturally.

In the meantime, the Chief Magistrate Court in Sabo, Yaba, has granted a four-day extension to Kuti’s detention, enabling further investigation into his case.