Controversial Nigerian musician, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has publicly ridiculed the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) after being declared wanted over allegations of rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
In a video shared on Instagram on Monday, Speed Darlington dismissed the accusations, stating that he had committed no offence and accusing NAPTIP of using his name to seek attention.
“I’m not coming. You hear me? I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak,” the singer said in the video.
He also questioned the legitimacy of the agency’s action, demanding evidence and accusing them of trying to exploit his popularity.
“Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? 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 mocked.
The singer, known for his outspoken nature, described NAPTIP’s invitation as a form of psychological manipulation.
He went further to demand appearance fees if the agency expected him to show up.
“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.
The agency had, last Friday, declared him wanted on its official Instagram page, accusing him of refusing to honour multiple invitations after a viral video surfaced in which he claimed to have had sex with a 15-year-old girl.
The incident, which occurred during a controversial Instagram livestream on Children’s Day, sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from women’s rights groups and the Lagos State government.
NAPTIP stated that Okoye’s actions, if substantiated, violate sections of Nigeria’s anti-human trafficking and cybercrime laws.
Despite the agency’s formal invitation issued on May 28, asking him to appear at their Abuja office by May 30, Speed Darlington failed to honour the request, citing other engagements.
He later proposed June 26 as a new date, but NAPTIP rejected the offer, giving him until June 2 to comply.
Speed Darlington, known for his controversial antics, also claimed the viral video was a publicity stunt to promote his music.
“I need controversy to eat,” he said,though many criticised the attempt to use child sexual abuse as a publicity stunt, calling it dangerous and unacceptable.
Meanwhile, there are reports suggesting the musician has already left Nigeria.
In a separate video, he hinted at his location, saying he had “left Lagos girls for New York girls.”
