On June 27 & 28, 2025, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) officially declared Nigerian musician Darlington Okoye, also known as Speed Darlington “wanted”. The agency’s alert, shared on its verified Instagram page and X (formerly Twitter), accused him of alleged offenses including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking, urging anyone with credible information to contact them urgently.
It all started in May 2025. During an Instagram Live session, Speed Darlington shocked followers by claiming he had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl in an undisclosed hotel. Outrage spread rapidly, and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) flagged the matter and forwarded it to NAPTIP.
By May 28–30, 2025, NAPTIP issued an invitation via a letter dated May 28, signed by the Head of Cybercrime Response Team, Ngamaraju Mangzha, requesting Darlington to appear at its Abuja headquarters on May 30 at 9:00 a.m.
In response, Darlington proposed June 26 instead, citing other commitments, but NAPTIP rejected this and gave a final deadline of June 2, 2025, at 1 p.m. to appear in Abuja.
Despite two formal invitations, Darlington failed to appear on both dates. In light of this, NAPTIP on Friday, June 27, took the step of labeling him officially “WANTED,” releasing his mugshot and contact information for public tips.
Speed Darlington Speaks Up
In reaction, Darlington insisted via media outlets (like Punch NG) that “they have no right to declare me wanted,” declaring confidence in his lawyer to resolve the issue. He characterized the allegations as part of a publicity campaign, stating:
“Sadly, what was meant to be a joke has been blown out of proportion by persons looking for fault where none exists… I would never deliberately engage in any activity that contravenes my responsibilities as a role model.”
He maintained the tide of drama was intended to boost visibility for his upcoming track and apologized for any offense caused but stopped short of admitting wrongdoing.
However, NAPTIP’s declaration underscores that the alleged acts might violate both the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. Allegations of rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking are particularly weighty when minors are involved.
Moreover, this isn’t Speed Darlington’s first controversial moment. His January 2022 Instagram Live incident involving a knife incident came after a rape accusation, and in October 2024, he was arrested and detained over a defamation feud with Burna Boy, before being released on ₦20 million bail in January 2025.
Just weeks before the fresh allegations, he was already under scrutiny for allegedly brandishing controversial remarks aimed at minors, so this new saga follows a pattern.
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The Naija Lowdown Writer 
I’m not sure he did what they are accusing him of sha
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