France Seeks Singer, Kofi Olomide’s Arrest over Sexual Assault

East African News/

Facing a number of charges in France and Zambia, Congolese rhumba star Koffi Olomide, faces arrest on arrival in Zambia on the advice of France.

The French embassy in Zambia has asked the local authorities to arrest Olomide for various allegations.

Following the appeal, Zambian media quoted Religious Affairs minister Godfridah Sumaili saying the singer would be arrested upon arrival.

Olomide, a regular in Zambia, was due to hold two shows this month.

French ambassador Sylvain Berger said Olomide was facing a number of charges both in Zambia and France.

The rhumba maestro is wanted on suspicion of sexually assaulting dancers, kidnapping and employing them in France without permit and facilitating their entry and illegal stay.

It is not the first time Olomide is finding himself in the eye of a storm in Zambia.

He, in January 2013, assaulted a Zambian photojournalist and had to flee across the border to avoid arrest.

He later apologised to the journalist.

Mapao, as his fans fondly refer to him, was infamously deported from Kenya in July 2016 for kicking one of his dancers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The musician spent the night at police cells at the airport before being deported to Kinshasa where he was charged with the crime and jailed for three months, commuted down from 18 months on President Joseph Kabila’s intervention.

He was, however, released on bail after five days.

Olomide apologised to Kenyans for his behaviour.

But even at home, the 62-year-old bad boy is never far from controversies. He was in August 2012 given a three-month suspended prison sentence for assaulting his producer. The sentence followed his arrest after fracas at a hotel in Kinshasa.

Earlier in 2001, security personnel in Kinshasa dragged Koffi out of his Mercedes Benz Compressor and frog-marched in public after he had defied being flagged down.

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