Nigerian entertainer Speed Darlington, born Darlington Okoye, has fired back defiantly after being declared wanted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) over allegations of rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
In a video uploaded to YouTube on Monday, shortly after the agency’s announcement, the outspoken singer denied all accusations and dismissed the claims as baseless.
“I’m not coming. You hear me? I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak,” he said.
Okoye accused NAPTIP of seeking social media attention at his expense and questioned the grounds for the agency’s action.
“Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? You want to use me to collect social media clout? Hey, look at us. We are doing our job. We summoned a celebrity and he came,” he stated.
He went further to describe the agency’s invitation as a psychological tactic, making it clear he would only comply on his own terms.
“2.5 million is what I charge for my appearance. You want to pay me 2.5 million plus? Round trip tickets for me and my PA to come. Because I call that appearance,” he said.
Speaking on his controversial Instagram livestream, which sparked the entire episode, Okoye maintained there was no proof to back the accusations.
“There is no crime. All I did was try to claim it. You have no evidence. You have nothing. So me coming here is a waste of my time,” he added.
NAPTIP had on Friday used its official Instagram account to announce that Okoye had been declared wanted, urging anyone with reliable information about his location to come forward.
“Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking,” the post read.
The move followed Okoye’s refusal to respond to multiple summons issued after a viral video circulated, in which he allegedly claimed to have had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl.
The livestream, which aired on Children’s Day, sparked heavy backlash and drew attention from women’s rights organisations and the Lagos State government.
In reaction to the growing outrage, NAPTIP issued a formal letter on May 28 inviting Okoye to appear at its Abuja headquarters on May 30.
He declined, citing prior engagements, and proposed June 26 as an alternative. The agency turned down the new date and set a final deadline of June 2—one Okoye also failed to honour.
