Entertainment
NAPTIP Places N50M Bounty On Speed Darlington
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-01-at-8.30.42-AM-750x306-1.png&description=NAPTIP Places N50M Bounty On Speed Darlington', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-01-at-8.30.42-AM-750x306-1.png&description=NAPTIP Places N50M Bounty On Speed Darlington', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has added controversial Nigerian entertainer, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, to its international watch list following his failure to honour multiple summons over serious allegations, including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
Confirming the development in an interview with Punch on Monday, NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, said the agency had enlisted the support of multiple security agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Department of State Services, the Police, and Interpol, to track down the singer.
“We are collaborating with the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Police, the DSS, and even the Interpol. We have put all of them on procedural notice so that wherever they see him, they can take action,” Adekoye stated.
He noted that the agency made the decision after giving the singer “enough opportunity” to respond.
NAPTIP is also reportedly considering placing a ₦50 million bounty on the singer if he continues to evade arrest.
On June 27, TGM reports that NAPTIP officially declared Okoye wanted in connection with alleged criminal offences after the musician, during an Instagram livestream, appeared to admit to having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl.
In a public notice posted via its verified Instagram handle @officialnaptip, the agency wrote, “WANTED BY NAPTIP. Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. Anyone with credible information on his whereabouts is urged to contact NAPTIP immediately. Call: 07030000203, [email protected].”
In a defiant response posted on YouTube on Monday, Speed Darlington dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused NAPTIP of seeking “social media clout.”
“I’m not coming. You hear me? I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak,” he said.
He went further to demand a ₦2.5 million appearance fee, claiming any meeting with the agency would amount to an official performance.
“₦2.5 million is what I charge for my appearance. You want to pay me ₦2.5 million plus round-trip tickets for me and my PA to come? Because I call that appearance,” he said mockingly.
Challenging the agency’s claims, the entertainer questioned the basis for his summons, asking, “Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? Do you want to use me to collect social media clout? Hey, look at us. We are doing our job. We summoned a celebrity and he came.”
He maintained that he had committed no crime and accused the agency of attempting psychological manipulation.
“There is no crime. All I did was try to claim it. You have no evidence. You have nothing. So, my coming here is a waste of my time,” he said.
Speaking on Darlington’s stand to Punch on Monday, Adekoye said, “We have followed the normal legal procedure involved in declaring somebody wanted. We got a court order to watchlist him. When you watchlist someone, you have designated the person as a Person of Concern because of the allegation against him. We have contacted our various partners, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“And if he sees it and refuses to respond, he is doing so at his peril. If someone is declared wanted, they become a target even outside the shores of Nigeria. Our advice is, wherever he is, he should turn himself in.”
An official who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “If he has nothing to hide, let him come and meet us. If his hands are clean as he said, why is he running? And the places he is running to still have zero tolerance for that kind of misconduct. If he has good advisers, they should tell him to turn himself in and let’s discuss with him.”
Meanwhile, another official familiar with the matter said NAPTIP is preparing a financial incentive for tip-offs.
“We are looking at the possibility of putting a bounty on his head. We are working with our legal department to look into it. We are considering ₦50m.
“We will allow the gestational period of this wanted status to pass. The moment it matures, we will graduate and move to another level.
“But we want to follow due process. We have given him enough opportunity to decide when to come and we’ve been very civil even though he confessed to a grievous offence,” the official stated.
Organisers of The Headies have refuted allegations that gospel and inspirational musicians are excluded from the award’s major categories.
In a statement released on Monday via its official Instagram page, the organisers said the claim does not reflect the award’s history.
They cited previous winners such as Lara George, Kefee, Nikki Laoye and Timi Dakolo as gospel artistes who have won mainstream honours at The Headies.
The statement also noted that the Inspirational Single category was created to recognise songs that promote faith, hope and positive values.
The clarification followed an open letter from Afrogospel artiste Gaise Baba, who raised concerns about the treatment of gospel music at the awards.
Gaise Baba argued that songs should be judged on quality, sound and impact, rather than the message in the lyrics.
“A rap record is a rap record,” he wrote in part.
The singer further questioned whether commercially successful gospel songs like ‘Favour’ and his collaboration with Lawrence Oyor, ‘No Turning Back II’, receive the same consideration as mainstream Nigerian songs.
Gaise Baba also recalled his experience as a nominee, stating that the Inspirational Music category was not presented during the main ceremony at one edition.
He said nominees commit time and resources to the process and deserve proper recognition.
Fifteen housemates have been put up for possible eviction in week six of Big Brother Naija Season 11.
The nominees are Chimsom Chuka, Flora, Aikou, Bells, Tram, Gerard, Oyin, Ricky, Barry, Temi Nkem, Araga, Yusuf, Nomy, Bluethopia and Keivo.
The list was confirmed during Monday’s nomination proceedings in the house.
Head of House Abi is immune from eviction this week following her win in the week six HOH challenge.
She also becomes a two-time HOH this season.
Also safe from eviction is Sheba, who emerged as the Most Influential Player for week five.
The title comes with immunity for the following week.
With Aikou and Flora’s gambit status now revoked, both housemates are eligible for nominations and eviction for the first time this season.
The race for honours at the 18th Headies Awards has intensified following the release of nominees for the 2026 edition, with some of Nigeria’s biggest music stars set to battle across several competitive categories.
Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr, Tems, Asake and Rema are among the leading names on the nomination list unveiled by the organisers on Tuesday.
The ceremony is scheduled to hold in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, under the theme, “Africa to the World”.
The nominations recognise music released between August 1, 2024, and April 30, 2026, with 213 nominations spread across 35 categories.
Fola emerged as the biggest individual nominee with 10 nominations, while Omah Lay followed with eight. Mavo and Wizkid secured seven nominations each, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive awards season.
Wizkid is in contention in major categories, including Best Male Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year, Afrobeats Album of the Year and Song of the Year. His album, Morayo, is also nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year.
Davido also features prominently, with his album 5ive nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year. His collaboration with Omah Lay, With You, earned nominations in Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best Headies Collaboration and Viewers’ Choice.
Adekunle Gold joins the heavyweight contenders with Fuji nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year. He is also nominated for Best Male Artiste and Best Performer (Live) for his performance at the National Theatre in Lagos.
Among the female stars, Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage lead with five nominations apiece. Ayra Starr is also in contention for Best Female Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year and Best Performer (Live).
The Next Rated category is equally expected to attract significant attention, with Fido, Fola, Llona, Mavo and Shoday competing for the coveted prize. The category has traditionally served as a major platform for identifying the next generation of Nigerian music stars.
The organisers have also announced special honours, with veteran Congolese singer, Awilo Longomba, set to receive the Headies Hall of Fame Award, while Nigerian entertainment executive, Cecil Hammond, will receive the Special Recognition Award for his contributions to African entertainment.
With established superstars, rising acts and a new crop of contenders spread across the categories, attention will now shift to the October ceremony in Toronto, where the nominees will battle for one of Africa’s most recognised music honours.
Ideato Has No Zoning Arrangement, Ugochinyere Emerged By People’s Choice — Hon Omeire
EFCC Probe Shouldn’t Bar Anyone From Campaigning, Canvassing Votes, Wike Insists
Just in: Uber pulls out of Nigeria
-
News12 hours ago“Go Back and Repair Our Road!” — Enugu Residents Turn APC Campaign Ground Into Assessment Session(Video)
-
Health15 hours agoAbuja hospital denies organ trafficking, suspends kidney transplant services
-
Politics15 hours agoPHOTOS: Umahi’s 28-year-old son sworn in as Ebonyi LG chairman
-
News23 hours agoFBI confirms Tinubu was Under Investigation for Drugs
-
Metro15 hours agoOgun Issues Fresh Flood Alert, Urges Residents In Vulnerable Areas To Relocate
-
News15 hours agoLagos begins enforcement of 2026 parking permits, warns defaulters
-
News15 hours agoNLC rejects petrol price hike, demands more crude for refineries
-
Sports15 hours agoDeadline Day: Man City Agree To Sign Fernandez For £125m
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login