JUST IN : Speed Darlington sues NAPTIP , demands N3bn damages for declaring him ‘wanted’
Nigerian Rapper and singer, Darlington Achakpo Okoye, a.k.a. Speed Darlington, has filed a N3bn lawsuit against the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for declaring him wanted over a live stream video in IG.
The lawsuit which was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja dated on July 9, 2025, by his legal counsels, Darlington seeks N3 billion in damages, alleging that NAPTIP’s actions were defamatory.
Recall that on June 27, NAPTIP announced that Darlington was wanted for alleged crimes, including rape, cyberbullying and cyberstalking.
This was made via Officialnaptip, the official Instagram account of the agency, posted
“WANTED BY NAPTIP. Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying and cyberstalking. Anyone with credible information on his whereabouts is urged to contact NAPTIP immediately.”
Speed Darlington legal counsels, had argued that the agency's action of declaring him wanted was baseless and has dented his reputation and safety. In a statement Speed Darlington request that the court issue a perpetual injunction restraining NAPTIP from enforcing or giving effect to the contents of the June 27 publication.
NAPTIP had declared him wanted after he failed to come forward to answer questions bothering on the claims he made in a video he posted on his Instagram page in which he alleged he had carnal knowledge of a minor in a hotel.
Consequently, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) intervened, and referred the case to NAPTIP for further investigation.
Despite the singer’s claims that it was a prank, NAPTIP insisted that he must appear at its Abuja office for questioning. The singer defended his actions, stating that artistes need controversy to thrive. He claimed that his controversial statements were part of promoting his work and apologised to anyone who was offended.
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