The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has declared controversial Nigerian rapper Darlington Okoye, a.k.a. Speed Darlington, wanted for alleged offenses including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
In a statement posted on its official Instagram account on Friday, NAPTIP issued a public notice: “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.”
The declaration comes after the singer repeatedly failed to honor summons for questioning over a viral Instagram Live video, released on Children’s Day, where he claimed to have had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl.
The video sparked national outrage and condemnation from rights activists and the public.
Within 24 hours of the incident, the Lagos State Government formally reported the matter to NAPTIP, which launched an investigation.
The agency sent a summons, dated May 28, 2025, from its Head of Cybercrime Response Team, Ngamaraju Mangzha, directing the singer to appear at NAPTIP’s Abuja headquarters on May 30.
The letter cited the video and other archived clips containing “admissions and degrading commentary concerning minors,” which, if proven, would constitute offenses under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Speed Darlington acknowledged the summons but requested to appear on June 26, claiming he was unable to meet the original date.
NAPTIP rejected his request in a follow-up letter, insisting on an urgent response due to the “urgent national importance” of the matter and giving him a final deadline of June 2, 2025, to appear.
Despite the deadline, Speed Darlington did not show up. As the controversy grew, the artist issued an Instagram statement denying any wrongdoing and apologizing for any “bad blood or misunderstanding” his “innocuous actions” may have caused.
He insisted the video was just a “promotional stunt for his new single, Village Girl,” and a joke intended for “clout and entertainment.”
He maintained that he had not sexually assaulted any minors, describing himself as a “law-abiding citizen raised under strict moral standards.”
This is not the first time Speed Darlington has faced legal trouble.
Just five months ago, he was released from detention after being arrested in November 2024 for accusing fellow artist Burna Boy of having an inappropriate relationship with American rapper Diddy.
He was arrested during a show in Owerri and held for weeks despite being granted bail before being released on a ₦20 million bail in January 2025.
He has since filed a ₦300 million lawsuit against the Inspector-General of Police, alleging his rights were violated during his detention.
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