The Nigeria Police Force has transferred musician Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington “Akpi,” from Owerri, Imo State, to Abuja, reportedly in a bid to impose more severe punishment on the artist.
Sources revealed on Wednesday that Darlington is now being moved to the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Dasuki Galadanchi, who oversees the FID, is said to have personally taken over Darlington’s case.
A top source disclosed, “Speed Darlington is being moved to Abuja. DIG Dasuki Galadanchi believes the punishment he previously received was too lenient and has taken control of the case file.”
Another insider corroborated, stating that the DIG directly assumed jurisdiction over the file from the police department responsible for Darlington’s initial arrest and detention.
This follows earlier reports by SaharaReporters confirming that Afrobeat superstar Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, was allegedly behind the musician’s arrest.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, representing Darlington, accused Burna Boy of hypocrisy, stating, “Burna Boy, who sings against oppression and claims to emulate Fela, is now oppressing Speed Darlington.”
Adeyanju had earlier confirmed that Darlington was detained by the police in Owerri upon his return to Nigeria for a show. However, reports suggest that the arrest stemmed from allegations of cyberstalking Burna Boy.
Darlington was previously detained at the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team facility in Abuja after being transferred from Lagos, where he was allegedly moved between various police formations before arriving in the capital.
Adeyanju visited the musician in detention and stated that the petition submitted against him by Burna Boy lacked substance. “I have met Speed Darlington, and he is in good spirits. We are working to secure his release on bail as soon as possible,” Adeyanju said.
While police authorities declined to release the petition to Adeyanju, they permitted him to review its contents. As the case unfolds, concerns about alleged police harassment and misuse of power remain a focal point in the public discourse.
Be the first to comment