WANTED: Controversial Musician Speed Darlington Placed On Naptip Watchlist After Refusing Invitation Over Serious Allegations

 

Authorities at the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons have escalated efforts to bring Nigerian rapper Darlington Okoye, known to many as Speed Darlington, to respond to a series of troubling allegations after he repeatedly ignored official invitations to appear at the agency’s Abuja headquarters.

A press briefing in Abuja, addressed by the Director of Legal and Prosecution, Ijeoma Mary Amugo, shed fresh light on the agency’s continuous attempts to reach the artist over accusations that have already drawn nationwide debate. The agency had earlier declared him wanted following claims tied to r3pe, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. The accusations gained heightened urgency after a viral online video surfaced in which the rapper allegedly boasted about engaging in s#x with a 15 year old girl during a live Instagram session. The assertion sparked outrage, prompting calls for a full investigation into potential sexual misconduct involving a minor.

NAPTIP maintained that the decision to declare the musician wanted came only after he failed to respond to repeated inquiries meant to give him a chance to defend himself. According to Amugo, the singer not only rejected the summons but also took to social media, where he insisted the agency was infringing on his human rights. She explained that instead of cooperating, he tried to portray the investigation as an attempt to silence him, a move the agency interpreted as an effort to evade accountability.

Efforts to locate him have hit several walls, as operatives reported the absence of a verifiable residential address. Amugo noted that investigators worked to physically trace his whereabouts, a step necessary for due process to proceed. However, intelligence gathered most recently suggests that the rapper is outside Nigeria, which has further slowed the investigation.

Authorities responded to his absence by placing him on a watchlist, a move that ensures he will be apprehended for questioning once he enters the country. The agency emphasized that the investigation remains open and that justice will be pursued to its logical conclusion regardless of the time required.

The rapper, on his part, has filed a lawsuit against the agency, arguing that he has committed no offense and that the declaration branding him wanted was unjustified. His legal move added another layer of complexity to an already contentious situation, setting the stage for what may develop into a prolonged legal tussle.

NAPTIP’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to protecting minors, upholding the law, and pursuing suspects who attempt to sidestep formal procedures. The agency stressed that the case will pick up immediately once the rapper is back on Nigerian soil, assuring the public that no allegation involving vulnerable individuals will be overlooked.