Chris Brown's pal remanded in custody after court hearing over nightclub attack
Chris Brown's musician pal Omololu Omari Akinlolu has been denied bail and remanded in custody after appearing in court today.
The Metropolitan Police announced today that US national Akinlolu, 38, had been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent. Police said the charge relates to an assault, which reportedly took place at a venue in Hanover Square in London, on Sunday, 19 February 2023.
Akinlolu appeared in the dock flanked by security guards at Manchester Magistrates' Court wearing a pink tracksuit. He spoke to confirm him name and address, which was given to the court as The Lowry Hotel in Salford, which is the address Chris Brown also gave during his hearing yesterday, MEN reports.
During today's hearing, prosecutor Peter Conroy told the court the prosecution will allege Akinlolu 'repeatedly punched' victim Abe Diaw 'in the head'. He added that it is alleged an incident at the London nightclub started at a bar area and continued across the bar into a different room within the establishment.
The prosecutor also told the court how police attempted to contact both Akinlolu and Brown on 'several occasions' in an attempt to invite them to voluntary interviews. He added that the interviews did not take place because Akinlolu and Brown did not respond. The court also heard how Akinlolu was arrested in Manchester on Friday night.
Grace Forbes, who is representing Akinlolu, told the court: "He will be entering a not guilty plea." But a plea was not entered during the hearing today.
The defence added to the court that if Akinlolu had been trying to avoid police in the UK, he wouldn't have come to the UK. Ms Forbes said: "That would be an extraordinary thing to do if he had any intention to avoid the police in this country." An application for bail was made for Akinlolu as Ms Forbes proposed a surety involving his mother's 'life-savings'. She added that Akinlolu would surrender his passport, reside in Manchester and not apply for any travel documents and proposed that he wouldn't enter any port or airport, and abide by a curfew.
However, bail was refused and Akinlolu was remanded in custody. Chairman of the bench, Ronald Marshall, says: "On this occasion we are refusing bail and you will be kept in custody." The case is adjourned.
Akinlolu will appear at Southwark Crown Court in London on June 20.
Brown and fellow musician Akinlolu released music together in the past, as Hoody Baby featured on Brown's track No Such Thing, released in 2020. Meanwhile, Brown features on Hoody Baby's song Flexing, which also has features from Lil Wayne, Quavo and Gudda Gudda.
Yesterday, 36 year old musician Chris Brown appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court after being charged with grievous bodily harm with intent by the Metropolitan Police. He was arrested at 2am on Thursday at The Lowry Hotel in the city after police discovered he was in the country ahead of upcoming tour dates in Europe and the UK.
Brown has been remanded in custody until June 13 by a judge in Manchester over an allegation of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Following Brown's arrest, a spokesman for The Metropolitan Police said: "A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 02:00hrs on Thursday, 15 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has been taken into custody where he remains.
"The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on 19 February 2023. The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit."
On Thursday evening, Adele Kelly, the Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, said: "We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown, 36, with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
"The alleged incident occurred in London on February 19 2023. He will have his first court appearance on Friday May 16 at Manchester Magistrates' Court.
"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
Following the news Brown had been remanded in custody until June 13, dates for his upcoming tour have been thrown into chaos. His Breezy Bowl XX Tour is due to start in Amsterdam on June 8 - but Brown will be in custody ahead of his appearance at Southwark crown court in London on June 13.
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