Koffi Olomide charged with assault, could spend 5 years in prison

Koffi Olomide, Congolese musician, has been charged with assault following his arrest on Tuesday morning.

Olomide was arrested in his home town of Kinshasa, for assaulting one of his dancers, in Kenya last weekend.

The famous Congolese musician was, subsequent to his arrest, charged with assault and battery, a judicial source disclosed to BBC.

Olomide was reportedly handcuffed and ushered into a police car after which he was immediately taken to a court building.

“Hello koffiphils and Koffillettes. May the righteousness of man be just and fair” he wrote on his Facebook page shortly after his arrest.

Although Olomide initially denied kicking his dancer, he apologised on his Facebook page on Monday.

“Once again I would like to apologize to my friend(s), brothers, sisters, fans and especially to the woman and children, I beg you to give me your forgiveness”, the singer wrote.

Olomide could spend up to five years behind bars if he’s found guilty of the crime.

He was on Saturday deported back to Congo aboard Kenya Airways flight KQ554 to Kinshasa at 11:30am.

George Wajackoyah, his lawyer said the Kenyan government treated them like “animals” as they deported Olomide and his dancers “without their passports.”

The iconic singer has had prison experience in the past – after he was convicted in his home country in 2012, for assaulting Diego Lubaki, his producer.

Olomide spent three months in jail for the offence.