The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has declared controversial Nigerian rapper, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, wanted over alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.

In a statement posted on its official Instagram account on Friday, NAPTIP announced the declaration.

?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 statement read.The declaration follows the singer?s failure to honour multiple summons for questioning in connection with a now-viral Instagram Live video, where he claimed to have had sex with a 15-year-old girl.

The video, released on Children?s Day, sparked national outrage and drew condemnation from rights activists and the public alike.

Within 24 hours of the incident, the Lagos State Government formally reported the matter to NAPTIP, prompting the agency to initiate a probe.A letter signed by the agency?s Head of Cybercrime Response Team, Ngamaraju Mangzha, dated 28 May 2025, was issued to the singer, summoning him to appear at NAPTIP?s headquarters in Abuja by 9:00 a.m. on 30 May.

In the letter, the agency referenced the Instagram video and other archived clips allegedly containing ?admissions and degrading commentary concerning minors.?

?These actions, if substantiated, constitute offences under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015,? the letter read.

Speed Darlington, in response, acknowledged receipt of the summons and stated his inability to attend on the stipulated date, offering instead to appear on 26 June.

NAPTIP, however, rejected the proposed date. In a follow-up letter signed by the Director of ICT & Cybercrime Response Team, Hakeem Lawal, the agency insisted:

?The invitation was sent to you on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, giving you sufficient time to prepare and appear as indicated. Moreover, the issue at hand is of urgent national importance and requires an urgent response.

?As such, NAPTIP will not be able to work with your schedule. You are further given till Monday, June 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. to appear in person at the NAPTIP Headquarters: 2028, Dalaba Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, FCT, Abuja, for the interview.?

Invite Deferment

Despite the deadline, Speed Darlington failed to appear. As the controversy deepened, the singer took to Instagram to issue a statement denying any wrongdoing.

?Sadly, what was meant to be a joke has been blown out of proportion by persons looking for fault where none exists.

?Without conceding to any wrongdoing, may I offer my profound apology for any bad blood or misunderstanding my innocuous actions may have caused the online community?? he said.

He insisted, ?To the discerning, the video was only for clout and entertainment? I would never deliberately engage in any activity that contravenes my responsibilities as a role model.?

The ?Bangdadadang? and ?Baby Oil? crooner reiterated that he had not sexually assaulted any minors.

?I have neither engaged in nor contemplated any acts of sexual predation, sexual violation, or any other untoward behaviour against the opposite sex.?

He described himself as a law-abiding citizen raised under strict moral standards and claimed the video was merely a promotional stunt for his new single, Village Girl.

This controversy comes just five months after Speed Darlington was released from detention following his arrest in November 2024. He was picked up after accusing fellow artist Burna Boy of having an inappropriate relationship with American rapper Diddy.

The clash sparked the release of his diss track ?Baby Oil?, which gained attention online. He was arrested during a show in Owerri and held for weeks despite being granted bail, before finally being released in January 2025 on ?20 million bail.

Darlington also filed a ?300 million lawsuit against the Inspector-General of Police, claiming his rights were violated during his detention.(Channels tv)

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