Speed Darlington’s NAPTIP summons sparks backlash as the singer insists he committed no crime and demands ₦2.5m fee to honour invitation
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]peed Darlington’s NAPTIP summons over alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking has been firmly rejected by the controversial Nigerian entertainer.
Also read: NAPTIP declares Speed Darlington wanted over rape, cybercrime allegations
The singer, whose real name is Darlington Okoye, took to Instagram on Monday to post a defiant video, insisting he committed no crime and would not honour the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons’ invitation without being paid.
“I’m not coming. You hear me? I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak. Irresponsible is not a crime,” he said.
NAPTIP had declared Okoye wanted last Friday via its verified social media platforms.
The agency urged the public to assist with any information regarding his whereabouts following his failure to respond to multiple official summonses.
The summons followed the singer’s controversial livestream on Children’s Day, where he appeared to confess to having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl.
Public outrage ensued, and women’s rights groups petitioned for urgent intervention. The Lagos State government also reported the incident to NAPTIP.
In response to NAPTIP’s announcement, Speed Darlington dismissed the claims as baseless and described the summons as a publicity stunt.
“Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? You want to use me to collect social media clout? ‘Hey, look at us. We are doing our job. We summoned a celebrity and he came,’” he said.
The 41-year-old artist also insisted he would only respond to the summons if he is paid his standard appearance fee of ₦2.5 million, along with flight tickets for himself and his personal assistant.
Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? You want to use me to collect social media clout? ‘Hey, look at us. We are doing our job. We summoned a celebrity and he came.
“2.5 million is what I charge for my appearance,” he said. “Because I call that appearance.”
In a further attempt to distance himself from the accusations, Speed Darlington said the controversial video was merely a prank meant to promote his music.
He argued that there was no evidence linking him to any offence and said calls for legal action against him were unjustified.
“There is no crime. All I did was try to claim it. You have no evidence. So, me coming here is a waste of my time… Which one is cyberstalking? Who did I stalk? Did I post or bully or call anyone names in the video?”
He also criticised female commentators tagging NAPTIP and demanding his arrest, saying they were only “hating on him.”
He warned that he would sue NAPTIP for defamation if his name is not cleared. “You have no evidence against me,” he said.
The summon was first issued on 28 May with a deadline of 30 May. When the entertainer proposed a new date of 26 June, the agency rejected the offer and insisted on 2 June. That deadline was also ignored.
“The issue at hand is of urgent national importance and requires an urgent response,” NAPTIP said in its statement, warning of possible legal consequences for non-compliance.
Despite Speed Darlington’s dismissal of the allegations, NAPTIP reiterated that his statements—if confirmed—may constitute violations of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, as well as the Cybercrime Act 2015.
Meanwhile, there are growing rumours that the singer has left Nigeria. NAPTIP has yet to confirm whether any formal extradition request will be initiated.
For now, the agency continues to call for public assistance in locating the entertainer as public pressure mounts.
Also read: Speed Darlington’s response to NAPTIP’s invitation, reaffirms viral video was a joke
The summon remains a flashpoint in the growing scrutiny of how celebrities use social media and the need for swift accountability when sensitive legal and moral boundaries are crossed.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
