The Nigeria Police Force has transferred popular musician Darlington Okoye, better known as Speed Darlington, from Owerri, Imo State, to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Sources close to the investigation reveal that the move is part of an ongoing effort to intensify punishment for the artist.
A top police source confirmed the transfer, stating, “Speed Darlington is being moved to Abuja. He is being prosecuted by DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, who said his punishment was too short before they granted him bail the last time.”
Sources also revealed that Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Dasuki Galadanchi, in charge of the Force Intelligence Department (FID), had personally taken over Darlington’s case files.
“The DIG personally took over his case files from the police department that arrested him and initially detained him in Abuja,” a competent source corroborated.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has been vocal in his support for Speed Darlington, confirming the musician’s arrest. Adeyanju accused Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy of orchestrating the harassment. In a social media post, Adeyanju wrote, “Burna Boy is behind the harassment of Speed Darlington by the police. This is someone who has been singing against oppression and forming junior Fela, now oppressing Akpi.”
Adeyanju had earlier confirmed Darlington’s arrest in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, noting that the musician was detained after returning to Nigeria for a show. The specific reasons behind the arrest remain unclear.
However, reports suggest that the Nigerian police are holding Darlington in connection with alleged cyberstalking of Burna Boy. The musician was initially detained in the notorious IGP’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) center in Guzape, Abuja, before being transferred for further questioning.
Adeyanju, who visited Darlington in detention, told reporters that he had seen a petition against the artist, allegedly filed by Burna Boy.
“I have met with Speed Darlington, and he’s in good spirits. We are working to get him released on bail as soon as possible,” Adeyanju said.
Despite the petition, Adeyanju maintains that there was no substantial evidence to justify the arrest. A police ACP investigating the case reportedly told Adeyanju that the police could not release a copy of the petition but allowed him to read and digest its contents.
