A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate release of popular Nigerian singer Darlington Achakpo, also known as Speed Darlington, within 48 hours. The court’s ruling, delivered by Justice Musa Liman, mandates that the singer either be charged to court or granted unconditional release on bail. This order follows an ex-parte motion filed by Darlington’s legal counsel, David Ihuoma, seeking his release after months of detention.
Speed Darlington, 39, was first arrested on October 4, 2024, over allegations of defamation and cyberstalking against Nigerian artist Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu. Although Darlington was granted bail shortly after his initial arrest on October 8, he was rearrested on November 27 and has remained in police custody since then.
The controversy stems from a video posted by Speed Darlington in which he allegedly mocked Burna Boy’s association with American rapper Diddy, who had been facing legal issues in the United States. Following the video, Burna Boy filed a petition leading to Darlington’s arrest in Lagos, before he was transferred to Abuja.
In the court’s ruling, Justice Liman noted that Darlington had been unlawfully detained without being arraigned in court, which violated his fundamental human rights. The singer’s legal team also highlighted the health concerns arising from his detention, claiming that Darlington’s blood pressure had risen to dangerous levels, but he had been denied medical attention.
The ruling has been hailed as a victory for Darlington and his legal team, who argued that his continued detention was unjustified. The substantive case has been adjourned to January 6, 2025, for further hearings. The court’s decision to release Darlington sets an important precedent for the protection of individual rights and the proper application of the law.
