Speed Darlington Petitions Police over Continued Detention, Demands Compliance with Court Order

Nigerian singer Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has filed a petition with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, demanding compliance with a Federal High Court order regarding his ongoing detention.

In a letter dated January 8, 2025, Speed Darlington’s counsel, Rosemary E. Hamza of the Chambers of Deji Adeyanju & Partners, drew attention to a court order issued by Justice M.S. Liman on December 23, 2024, which instructed the police to either charge the singer within 48 hours or release him unconditionally. The letter, which was also sent to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, is 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.” It further highlighted that on January 6, 2025, the court reiterated this order and called for the release of Speed Darlington into the custody of his lead counsel, Marshal Abubakar, who would ensure his appearance in court.

The singer’s legal team reported that although the bail terms were communicated to them, including the request for a Grade Level 16 civil servant as a surety, their efforts to comply with the requirements on January 7, 2025, were hindered as calls and messages to the relevant authorities went unanswered.

The petition confirmed that Speed Darlington’s lawyers, Abubakar and Ihuoma, will return to the FIB on January 9, 2025, with a surety to fulfill the conditions for his release.

Speed Darlington had been arrested in November 2024 on allegations of defamation and cyberstalking involving fellow artist Burna Boy (Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu). He was initially detained in Abuja after being transferred from Lagos. Following a brief release, he was re-arrested during a performance in Owerri, Imo State, raising further concerns regarding the handling of his case.