Speed Darlington Granted N20 Million Bail in Cybercrime Charges

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Nigerian singer, Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like amount. The ruling was given on Wednesday after the singer pleaded not guilty to charges of cybercrime.

Justice Ekerete Akpan, who presided over the case, ordered that the surety must be a Level 10 civil servant, residing in Abuja, and able to provide an affidavit of means. The surety must also work with either the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) or be a federal employee. Furthermore, the surety’s appointment letters and recent promotion records must be verified by the court.

Speed Darlington, whose international passport has been ordered to be deposited with the court, will remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until his bail conditions are met. Both the defendant and the surety are required to submit two recent passport photographs to the court registrar.

The case involves allegations against Speed Darlington for cybercrimes related to posts he allegedly made on social media about musician Burna Boy. The singer is accused of transmitting messages that were deemed to insult, harm, or cause unnecessary anxiety, and were reportedly designed to damage Burna Boy’s reputation and integrity.

In the first count, he was accused of transmitting a viral message via Instagram, which allegedly caused annoyance and injury to Burna Boy’s name. In the second count, he was charged with intimidating and bullying Burna Boy through other posts, resulting in a reasonable apprehension of harm.

Following the reading of the charges, Speed Darlington denied the allegations, and his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, requested a trial date. The prosecution, represented by Garba Audu, requested the court’s approval to substitute earlier charges with the amended two-count charge, which was not opposed by the defense.

Justice Akpan adjourned the case until March 18 for trial and ordered the singer to remain in detention until his bail conditions are met.

This legal proceeding follows an investigation into the singer’s social media posts, which have attracted widespread attention. The EFCC has filed charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.