Congolese star, Koffi Olomide jailed 18 months for assault

A court in Kinshasa, Congo, charged Congolese music star Koffi Olomide with assaulting one of his female dancers in Nairobi.

There had been reports suggesting he was handed an 18-month jail term without the option of a fine but the issue of his sentencing is still unclear.

He had kicked a woman in his band at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi last Friday and was deported on July 23 alongside three of his female dancers.

According to reports,  a campaign to have him arrested was started by Congressman Zakarie Bababaswe, who had filed a petition on behalf of the Congolese public to get the musician punished for assault.

Mr Bababaswe had in a televised press conference wondered why Olomide was “still walking scot-free and yet there was video evidence that he assaulted his dancer in Kenya?”

Incidentally, the congressman and Olomide used to be good friends until they fell out after the musician and Cindy Le Coeur, his lead singer, were accused of belittling him in their songs.

His arrest, which was ordered by the attorney-general, was received with jubilation by locals and foreigners, who feel justice must be done for all, and especially in enforcing women’s rights.

Since video footage of the incident, in which one of Africa’s leading musicians lashed out with a “Kung Fu kick” at one of his dancers, came to light, Olomide has suffered a huge setback in a career he diligently nurtured for several decades.

Source: Daily Nation