Speed Darlington petitions DIG over continued detention

Speed Darlington, has petitioned the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau in Abuja, DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, asking him to comply with a court order on his continued detention. 

The Nigerian singer, whose real name is Darlington Achakpo, has been in detention over allegations of defamation and cyberstalking of fellow artiste, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, aka Burna Boy. 

In a letter dated January 8, 2025, Speed Darlington’s counsel, Rosemary E. Hamza, from the Chambers of Deji Adeyanju & Partners, pointed out that the court order issued by Justice M.S. Liman on December 23, 2024, directed the police to charge Speed Darlington within 48 hours or release him unconditionally. 

The letter copied to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Federal High Court in Abuja, is titled: ‘Re; Unlawful Detention Of Darlington Achakpo.’ 

The letter reads, “As you are no doubt aware, the Federal High Court, per Hon. Justice M.S. Liman, on the 23rd day of December 2024, directed the police authorities to charge our client to court within 48 hours or release him unconditionally 

“On January 6, 2025, the court reiterated the order and urged the police authorities to release him to the lead counsel, our own, Marshal Abubakar, who shall produce him in court for trial. 

“Although our client was served with a bail term on January 6, 2025 (a copy is herein attached to this correspondence) requesting him to produce a Grade Level 16 civil servant, Marshal Abubakar, Esq and Mazi David Ihuoma, Esq were at the FIB on January 7, 2025, with a surety to fulfil the bail conditions you imposed. 

“However, events and happenings on that day left much to be desired as several calls and messages sent to you by Abubakar Marshal, Esq and Deji Adeyanju, Esq were left unanswered and without response.” 

The petition noted that Abubakar and Ihuoma will be coming to the FIB on January 9, 2024, with a surety to fulfil the bail conditions imposed.
Recall that Speed Darlington was arrested in November 2024 over the statement he made about Burna Boy’s Grammy win, linking it to detained US music executive, Diddy. 

Speed Darlington was initially arrested in Lagos and transferred to Abuja before being detained by the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team in the Guzape area of Abuja. 

He was released from police custody and he travelled to the United States, from where he continued to call out Burna Boy. 

However, he was re-arrested while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State, days after returning to the country.