Koffi Olomide arrested in Kinshasa

After being deported from Kenya, the singer Koffi Olomide was charged with assault for kicking one of his dancers. The incident took place at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. A video posted on social networks shows the Congolese artist violently assaulting one of his dancers.

Arrested by the Kenyan authorities, the musician was returned to Kinshasa. His concert scheduled for 23 July was also canceled. This case has sparked outrage and anger in Kenya and the rest of Africa. Many denounced this act.

The singer had initially denied the facts before apologizing publicly. In Kinshasa, the musician was heard by a magistrate and transferred on Tuesday, July 26 to the central prison in Kinshasa. He will appear in court in five days.

According to a prison source quoted by AFP (Agence France Presse), Koffi Olomide is being detained in cell 14 at the pavilion 8, reserved for the rich and famous.

If the court finds him guilty, the star of Congolese rumba faces a prison sentence between 8 days to 6 months. In 2012, he was sentenced to a suspended three months sentence for assault and battery on its producer. In 2008, he violently broke hardware and kicked a cameraman from the RTGA, a television station in Kinshasa. The case was resolved amicably.

On social networks some believe it is a ‘political’ move. "There is no legal violation since the alleged victim [the dancer] did not file a complaint and denies the facts. The Attorney-General doesn’t see any offence? This issue is being politicized," said Hériter Ntantu.

Another internet user stated that in criminal cases "where public order is disturbed, the Public Prosecutor may take on the case, whether a complaint is filed or not."

Koffi Olomide’s concert scheduled in Zambia has meanwhile been cancelled, with his compatriot Werrason called on to replace him at the 90th Agricultural and Commercial Society of Zambia (ACSZ) show in Lusaka on Friday 29 July.