Speed Darlington Sues NAPTIP for N3 Billion Over Wanted Declaration

Controversial Nigerian singer Darlington Achakpo Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has dragged the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to court over its decision to declare him wanted.

The lawsuit, filed on July 9, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja by a group of female lawyers representing the artist, demands N3 billion in damages for what they described as a defamatory move that has put the singer’s life and reputation at risk.

NAPTIP had, in a June 27 Instagram post, declared Speed Darlington wanted for alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. The post on the agency’s official account read: “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.”

Speed Darlington has denied the allegations, calling the agency’s declaration baseless. He is also asking the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining NAPTIP from acting on or enforcing the contents of the June 27 publication.

His legal battle stems from a viral video in which someone resembling the singer appeared to admit to having a sexual encounter with a minor. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) reportedly referred the matter to NAPTIP for further investigation.

While the singer insists the video was a prank and part of his performance antics, NAPTIP has maintained that he must report to its Abuja office for questioning.

Addressing the controversy, Speed Darlington said artistes sometimes rely on provocative content to promote their work. He apologized to anyone offended by his actions but stressed that the accusations were unfounded and damaging to his image.

Now, through the court, he is seeking both compensation and legal protection against what he describes as a smear campaign.