The absence of Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatubosun of the Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State on Tuesday stalled proceedings in the case of assault brought against afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti.

The chief magistrate was on an official assignment, according to information communicated to Mr Kuti’s counsel by the court registrar.

However, a source told journalists at 11:45 a.m. that the court might still sit on Tuesday.

As of the time of this report, there was no indication that the court would sit.

Meanwhile, some youths gathered at the court premises on Tuesday, protesting Ms Olatubosun’s absence.

They carried placards with inscriptions such as “Free Seun Kuti”.

One of the protesters, who did not mention her name, alleged in an interview that the absence was mischievous and intended to further keep Mr Kuti in custody.

Another protester, Hakeem Abodunrin, urged the court not to delay the singer’s release from custody.

Last Thursday, the chief magistrate adjourned the case until Tuesday after she extended Mr Kuti’s remand by four days following an application by the police to enable the completion of the investigation into the alleged assault.

Mr Kuti was brought to the court on May 16 and charged with assaulting a police officer.

He allegedly committed the offence on May 13 on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State.

The police charged him with slapping an inspector after allegedly driving dangerously on the bridge and deliberately blocking a moving police vehicle.

(NAN)