Nigerian Police Detain Musician Speed Darlington for One Week, Lawyer Demands Bail
By Okafor Joseph Afam, December 4, 2024
The Nigerian police have detained musician Darlington Okoye, known as Speed Darlington, for over a week, sparking outrage from his lawyer and human rights groups who demand his immediate release on bail. The detention follows a complaint filed by fellow musician Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, who reportedly accuses Speed Darlington of cyberstalking.
Darlington’s lawyer, Stan Alieke, expressed his concern on social media, emphasizing that his client has been wrongfully detained and should be granted bail. In a post on his Instagram account, Alieke stated:
“Today marks exactly one week since my client, Mr. Darlington Achakpo, also known as Speed Darlington, was re-arrested and detained by the @nigeriapoliceforce. He has been in custody ever since. The police should not violate his constitutional rights while purportedly enforcing someone else’s rights. He is entitled to bail and should be granted the same.”
The detention of the musician began after he was arrested in Owerri, Imo State, and later moved to Abuja, where he remains in custody at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID). According to sources familiar with the case, police have pressured Darlington to apologize publicly to Burna Boy, claiming that as a “superstar,” Burna Boy is untouchable. The police reportedly told Darlington that he could not defeat Burna Boy and suggested that an apology would resolve the matter.
Speed Darlington’s case has drawn public attention due to the involvement of high-ranking police officials, including Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Dasuki Galadanchi, who reportedly took over the case files. The musician’s lawyer, human rights advocate Deji Adeyanju, has also raised concerns about the misuse of police power, accusing Burna Boy of oppressing Darlington despite his public stance against oppression.
Adeyanju stated, “Burna Boy, who has been singing against oppression and presenting himself as a champion of justice, is now turning into an oppressor of Speed Darlington.”
The reasons behind Darlington’s arrest remain unclear, though it is believed to stem from Burna Boy’s complaint about cyberstalking. SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Darlington was arrested in Lagos and later transferred to Abuja, where he was detained at the notorious Intelligence Response Team (IRT) facility in Guzape, Abuja. Despite the lengthy detention, legal experts argue that the charges against Darlington have not been substantiated, and his arrest appears to be a case of undue police harassment.
As Darlington’s detention enters its second week, calls for his release are growing, with many criticizing the misuse of police resources and the violation of his constitutional rights. His lawyer continues to demand that the police grant him bail and release the musician immediately.
