Nigerian singer Darlington Achakpo Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has filed a lawsuit against the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) after the agency declared him wanted.
The suit, filed on July 9, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja by his legal team, seeks N3 billion in damages, accusing NAPTIP of defamation.
On June 27, NAPTIP publicly announced that Speed Darlington was wanted in connection with allegations including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. The agency’s official Instagram account posted:
“WANTED BY NAPTIP. Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. Anyone with credible information on his whereabouts is urged to contact NAPTIP immediately.”
In the lawsuit, Speed Darlington argued that the agency’s declaration was unfounded, damaging his reputation and personal safety. He has asked the court to issue a permanent injunction preventing NAPTIP from enforcing or acting on the June 27 publication.
The agency declared him wanted after he failed to respond to inquiries regarding a video he posted on Instagram, in which he claimed to have had carnal knowledge of a minor at a hotel.
Following the video, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) intervened and referred the case to NAPTIP for investigation.
Although Speed Darlington insisted the video was a prank, NAPTIP demanded he report to their Abuja office for questioning. The singer defended his controversial statements, saying that artists often rely on controversy to gain attention. He apologized to anyone offended by his remarks.
