Court Adjourns Speed Darlington’s Suit Against IGP to March 19

Court adjourns Speed Darlington’s suit to March 19.
He is suing the police for unlawful detention and N300 million.
Darlington denies cybercrime allegations.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by controversial rapper Speed Darlington, whose real name is Darlington Achakpo, against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to March 19 for the adoption of processes.

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Justice Musa Liman set the new date after CSP Audu Garba, counsel for the IGP, informed the court that the police had filed a further counter affidavit in response to a subsequent affidavit served by Speed Darlington’s legal team.

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Rosemary Hamza, representing Speed Darlington, told the court that she had not yet received the document, preventing her from adequately responding.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, centers on Speed Darlington’s claim that his arrest and detention by the police violated his fundamental rights as guaranteed by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.

The rapper is seeking four key orders from the court.

In the suit, filed by his lawyer Deji Adeyanju, Speed Darlington is demanding the immediate and unconditional release from detention, where he has been held since 2024. Alternatively, he seeks an order for the IGP to produce him before the court to investigate the reasons for his detention and to potentially grant him bail. Additionally, the rapper is demanding N300 million in general, exemplary, and aggravating damages for what he describes as unlawful and continued detention.

In an affidavit sworn by Esther Eyisi, a secretary at the law firm, it was claimed that Speed Darlington was first arrested on October 4, 2024, for allegedly defaming popular musician Burna Boy.

The affidavit detailed that Darlington was illegally detained for five days and subjected to physical abuse and mistreatment without being formally charged. After five days, he was reportedly granted bail.

The situation escalated when, on November 27, 2024, Darlington was allegedly arrested again for violating administrative bail terms. Eyisi explained that the rapper had informed the police about his medical emergency and had received permission to travel to Owerri for a performance. Despite this, he was detained without charge.

Eyisi stressed that this continued detention infringed on Darlington’s constitutional rights, highlighting that he is the primary provider for his family.

In response, the police filed a counter affidavit deposed by SP David Atama. According to the police, Burna Boy had filed a petition on September 24, 2024, accusing Speed Darlington of threatening his life and intimidating his followers, offenses under the Cybercrime Prohibition Act.

The police claim that Speed Darlington voluntarily came in for questioning and admitted to committing the offenses.

However, Speed Darlington has denied these claims, stating that he never admitted to any offense and dismissing the allegations as false and misleading. He added that Burna Boy had publicly acknowledged the accusations, which he said had become a subject of ridicule among various personalities.