Controversial Nigerian singer and comedian, Darlington Okoye, widely known as Speed Darlington, has been released on bail following his arrest and detention. The arrest came after a petition by afrobeat star Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, who accused Speed Darlington of cyberstalking.
Darlington, also known by his stage name “Akpi,” was released after meeting the bail conditions set by the police at the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team’s (IRT) office in Guzape, Abuja. The musician’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed his release.
Speed Darlington had been arrested in Lagos last Friday, then transferred to various police units in the state, and eventually detained in Abuja by the IRT on cyberstalking charges. Adeyanju revealed that after reviewing Burna Boy’s petition, there appeared to be no concrete justification for Darlington’s arrest. Despite not being given a copy of the petition, Adeyanju was allowed to read and understand its contents.
Darlington’s mother, referred to as Queen, had raised alarm over her son’s disappearance, accusing Burna Boy and his team of orchestrating the arrest. In a tearful video appeal, she pleaded for his release, claiming her son had been missing for days after making a video mentioning Burna Boy and Diddy.
Speed Darlington’s detention and subsequent release have sparked widespread reactions, especially on social media, with supporters calling for transparency in the case.