JUST IN: NAPTIP DECLARES SPEED DARLINGTON WANTED OVER ALLEGED RAPE, CYBERBULLYING
Read Time:2 Minute, 0 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has officially declared controversial Nigerian rapper, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, wanted over multiple alleged offences, including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
The announcement was made in a statement posted on NAPTIP’s verified Instagram account on Friday, urging the public to provide credible information about the singer’s whereabouts.
The declaration comes after Speed Darlington failed to honour multiple summons to appear before the agency for questioning over a now-viral Instagram Live video in which he claimed to have had sex with a 15-year-old girl. The video, released on Children’s Day, triggered widespread outrage and condemnation from child protection advocates and the general public.
Within 24 hours of the incident, the Lagos State Government reported the matter to NAPTIP, prompting the agency to open an investigation. A formal letter dated May 28, 2025, and signed by the agency’s Head of Cybercrime Response, invited the rapper to appear at NAPTIP headquarters in Abuja by May 30. However, Darlington declined the date, proposing June 26 instead a date the agency rejected.
In a follow-up letter, NAPTIP insisted that the matter was of “urgent national importance” and gave him a final deadline of June 2, 2025, to appear. He failed to show up, prompting the agency to declare him wanted.
READ ALSO:
KENYAN COURT DECLARES NNAMDI KANU’S 2021 TRANSFER TO NIGERIA ILLEGAL, AWARDS DAMAGES
The rapper later posted a statement on Instagram, denying the allegations and claiming the video was a promotional stunt for his new single Village Girl. He described the uproar as an overreaction, stating that the video was “for clout and entertainment,” and denied engaging in any form of sexual misconduct.
“I have neither engaged in nor contemplated any acts of sexual predation, sexual violation, or any other untoward behaviour,” he said.
Speed Darlington’s legal troubles come just months after his release from detention in January 2025 following a separate arrest linked to online claims involving fellow artist Burna Boy. He was granted bail set at N20 million and is currently pursuing a N300 million lawsuit against the Inspector-General of Police for alleged violation of his rights.
NAPTIP says the investigation continues and reiterates that anyone with useful information on the rapper’s location should contact the agency immediately.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0