Nigerian entertainer Darlington Okoye, widely known as Speed Darlington, has openly defied an arrest warrant issued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The warrant stems from allegations including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
In a defiant video uploaded to YouTube, Speed Darlington rejected the claims, accusing NAPTIP of seeking social media attention rather than justice.
“I’m not coming. I haven’t committed any crime. All I did was speak,” he said.
He further challenged the agency’s case “where’s your evidence? Who’s the complainant? You just want to use me for social media clout.”
Mocking the summons, Darlington compared it to a publicity gig and demanded payment before appearing.
“2.5 million naira is my appearance fee. You want me to come? Pay me that, plus roundtrip tickets for me and my PA.”
NAPTIP had declared Darlington wanted on Instagram following his failure to respond to several official invitations.
The case centers on a Children’s Day livestream, during which he claimed to have had sex with a 15-year-old girl a statement he later dismissed as a publicity stunt.
The broadcast triggered outrage from the public, women’s rights groups, and the Lagos State government.
Despite being summoned to appear in Abuja on May 30, Darlington failed to comply. He offered to appear on June 26, but NAPTIP declined, issuing a final deadline of June 2, which he also ignored.
In its latest communication, the agency reiterated the seriousness of the allegations and warned of potential legal action for continued noncompliance.
Though Speed Darlington later claimed the controversial remarks were part of a marketing ploy saying, “I need controversy to eat” NAPTIP maintains that if confirmed, his statements could constitute serious offenses under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Cybercrime Act, 2015.
In a recent video, the entertainer suggested he may have fled the country, saying “I’ve left Lagos girls for New York girls.”
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