Speed Darlington Sues Inspector-General Of Police, Court to Hear Suit on January 13

Speed Darlington has sued the IG of Police for $300 million
Says the Nigerian Police have infringed on his Fundamental Human Rights
The court says it will hear his Suit on January 16

A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled January 13 for the hearing of a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Nigerian singer and rapper, Darlington Achakpo, better known as Speed Darlington.

The suit is against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, following Darlington’s recent detention.

The singer, who has been embroiled in legal issues since October 2024, is seeking redress for alleged violations of his fundamental rights during his arrest and continued detention.

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Justice Musa Liman fixed the date after Speed Darlington’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, requested an adjournment to give the I-G’s legal representative, Garba Audu, time to review and respond to the legal processes served in court.

The case stems from Speed Darlington’s arrest in October 2024 on charges of “defamation and cyberstalking” involving popular Nigerian musician, Burna Boy.

According to human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Darlington was arrested in Lagos following a petition from Burna Boy and moved to Abuja, where he was held for several weeks. He was eventually granted bail on October 8, 2024.

In December, a court had ordered that Speed Darlington be charged or released within 48 hours, but he was not released immediately.

When the matter resumed in court on January 6, 2024, the police lawyer explained that a criminal charge had already been filed against the singer for allegedly jumping bail.

The police also requested that Darlington be arraigned in court on January 15, 2024. However, Speed Darlington’s lawyer has argued that his client should be granted bail pending the criminal arraignment, with an assurance to produce him in court.

In his lawsuit, Speed Darlington is seeking an order for the police to immediately release him from detention and pay N300 million in damages for the unlawful and continued detention since 2024.

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The singer claims he was unlawfully detained without being formally charged to court and was subjected to inhumane conditions during his detention, including alleged torture.

He further argues that his ongoing detention is a violation of his constitutional rights.

The court’s decision on January 13 will be closely watched as it could have significant implications for Speed Darlington’s case and his ongoing legal battle with the Nigerian police.