Controversial Nigerian singer, Speed Darlington, has dragged the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to court for declaring him wanted.

The singer, whose real name is Darlington Achakpo Okoye, filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 9, 2025. Accusing NAPTIP of defamation, Darlington is seeking N3 billion in damages,
Recall that on June 27, NAPTIP declared Darlington wanted for alleged crimes, including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. 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.”
Darlington’s lawyers are arguing that the Abike Dabiri-Erewa-led agency’s action of declaring him wanted was baseless and has dented his reputation and safety. He requested the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining NAPTIP from enforcing or giving effect to the contents of the June 27 publication.
NAPTIP had declared Darlington 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 artists 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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