Nigerian singer, Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has filed a petition urging the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau in Abuja, DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, to comply with a court directive regarding his detention.
In a letter dated January 8, 2025, the singer’s legal representative, Rosemary E. Hamza of Deji Adeyanju & Partners, highlighted a Federal High Court order issued by Justice M.S. Liman on December 23, 2024.
The court instructed the police to either charge Speed Darlington within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.
The correspondence, also addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, was titled “Re: Unlawful Detention of Darlington Achakpo.”
The letter stated, “As you are no doubt aware, the Federal High Court, per Hon. Justice M.S. Liman, on the 23rd day of December 2024, directed the police authorities to charge our client to court within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.
“On January 6, 2025, the court reiterated the order and urged the police authorities to release him to the lead counsel, our own, Marshal Abubakar, who shall produce him in court for trial.
“Although our client was served with a bail term on January 6, 2025 (a copy is herein attached to this correspondence) requesting him to produce a Grade Level 16 civil servant, Marshal Abubakar, Esq and Mazi David Ihuoma, Esq were at the FIB on January 7, 2025, with a surety to fulfil the bail conditions you imposed.
“However, events and happenings on that day left much to be desired as several calls and messages sent to you by Abubakar Marshal, Esq and Deji Adeyanju, Esq were left unanswered and without response.”
The petition further mentioned that Abubakar and Ihuoma would revisit the FIB on January 9, 2025, with a surety to meet the stipulated bail conditions.
Speed Darlington was initially arrested in November 2024 following allegations of defamation and cyberstalking against fellow artist Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy.
After being detained in Lagos, Speed Darlington was transferred to Abuja, where the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team held him in Guzape.
Though released from custody, he was re-arrested while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State, shortly after returning to Nigeria.
