Police Finally Release Speed Darlington After Two Months In Custody

Nigerian singer, Speed Darlington, has been released from police custody after spending two months behind bars.

The artiste, whose real name is Darlington Achakpo, was arrested on November 27 while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State, over allegations of cyberstalking Grammy award-winning musician Burna Boy.

Darlington had taunted Burna Boy regarding his relationship with embattled U.S rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who is currently facing multiple charges of sex trafficking.

In a series of social media posts, Darlington mockingly questioned the legitimacy of Burna Boy’s Grammy Award for the album Twice As Tall, which was executive produced by Diddy.

He suggested that Burna Boy may have had a sexual relationship with the American music executive.

On Tuesday evening, Darlington’s lawyer, Stan Alieke, announced his release via Instagram, and shared photos of the singer after regaining his freedom.

Alieke expressed the legal team’s commitment to seek justice for Darlington, while claiming his client’s fundamental human rights had been violated by the Nigeria Police Force.

“We will ensure Darlington gets justice for his fundamental human rights, which were deprived of him by the Nigerian Police Force.

“Delighted to announce that our client, Mr Darlington Achakpo Aka Speed Darlington (Akpi) has regained his freedom after two months of illegal incarceration,” he wrote.

“For the record, as his team of lawyers, we will be exploring every angle of the law to ensure that he gets justice for his fundamental human right which was deprived of him by the Nigerian Police Force and for the unfair/ unjust treatment he was subjected to,” Alieke wrote.

Speed Darlington’s arrest stemmed from charges brought against him by the inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, who accused the singer of cybercrime offences.

Last week, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted Darlington bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety.

The judge, Ekerete Akpan, ruled that the surety must be a level 10 civil servant residing in Abuja and must provide an affidavit of means.

The court adjourned the case until March 18 for trial, where Darlington will face a two-count charge related to alleged cybercrime.

However, his legal team vowed to fight the case and seek redress for what they describe as an infringement on his rights.