Controversial singer and internet personality Speed Darlington, real name Darlington Okoye, has been declared wanted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) over allegations of rape, cyberbullying and cyberstalking.
NAPTIP made the declaration in a notice shared on its Instagram page on Friday, urging the public to assist with information on the entertainer’s whereabouts.
“Darlington Okoye aka Speed Darlington is wanted by NAPTIP in connection with alleged offences of rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. Anyone with useful information about his whereabouts should report to NAPTIP HQ, Abuja or the nearest NAPTIP office. Call: 07030000203. Email: info@naptip.gov.ng,” the post read.
The agency’s action follows Speed Darlington’s controversial Instagram Live session where he claimed to have had sex with a 15-year-old girl. The incident, which occurred in May, sparked public outrage and a formal petition to NAPTIP.
Although he later backtracked, saying the claim was only for publicity, the agency said it had already begun investigating the matter.
“I only claimed to have slept with an underage girl in order to create controversy,” Speed Darlington said in a follow-up post. “I believed it was an effective way to gain attention and traction for my newly released song.”
NAPTIP’s cybercrime response team, led by Ngamaraju Mangzha, initially invited the singer to appear at their Abuja office on May 30. He failed to honour the invitation and instead sent a letter asking for a reschedule.
“Hello, I will not be able to come in today. This is very sudden and urgent for me. I already have commitments and responsibilities. I suggest you reschedule for next month, June 26. I will be in Abuja that day,” the letter read.
However, when the new date arrived, he again failed to show up. NAPTIP officials said they had no choice but to declare him wanted.
“He has responded on two occasions, giving reasons for not coming. We will not work with his timing; we will soon come out with our position on this. No one is free in the eyes of the law,” an agency official said.
Another source added, “NAPTIP wrote to him… the agency wrote back again… This issue is a matter of national importance that requires urgency. The Agency will not work with your schedule.”
NAPTIP’s director of ICT and coordinator of the cybercrime response team, Hakeem Lawal, said the agency gave Speed Darlington enough time to prepare and appear but he failed to comply.
The agency’s spokesperson Vincent Adekoye said NAPTIP is now working with other agencies to prevent the singer from fleeing the country.
“NAPTIP is exploring all elements to ensure that he comes to answer for what he said. We are not taking chances. We are working with all state and non-state actors on this matter,” he said.
“Our DG is seriously concerned… It’s an issue that borders on a minor, the human rights of the minor, and sexual abuse… He was not under duress. It was an admission,” he added.
Speed Darlington, who gained popularity in 2017 with his viral song ‘Bangdadadang,’ is known for his eccentric persona and frequent online controversies. He has repeatedly stirred drama on social media with crude videos, public threats and clashes with fellow entertainers.