Court Orders Release or Arraignment of Speed Darlington Over Alleged Cyberbullying Against Burna Boy
BREAKING: Court Orders Release or Arraignment of Speed Darlington Over Alleged Cyberbullying Against Burna Boy
A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the arraignment or immediate release of Nigerian singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington. The singer has been in police custody since November following his arrest in Owerri, Imo State, over allegations of cyberbullying Grammy Award-winning artist Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, widely known as Burna Boy.
Darlington’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, revealed the court’s decision via social media on Monday, stating that the court had granted a Fundamental Rights (FREP) application in favour of the detained singer. The ruling mandates that Darlington be arraigned within 48 hours or set free.
“Our FREP application for Speed Darlington has been granted by the court. He is to be arraigned within 48 hours or released. Issues around injustice may take time, but justice will always prevail,” Adeyanju wrote.
Reports indicate that Darlington, also known as “Akpi,” was transferred from Owerri to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, shortly after his arrest. Sources disclosed that Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Dasuki Galadanchi personally took over the case file.
On November 27, Adeyanju accused Burna Boy of orchestrating Darlington’s arrest, describing it as an act of oppression. He criticized Burna Boy for using police resources to harass Darlington despite his vocal stance against injustice in his music.
