Darlington Achakpo, the controversial Nigerian singer, popularly called Speed Darlington, has filed a lawsuit against the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to court for declaring him wanted.
Akpi, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1354/2025 and filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 9, 2025 claims that NAPTIP’s actions amounted to an unlawful and defamatory declaration.
It would be recalled that in June 27, the agency declared that Darlington is wanted for alleged offences, including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
The official Instagram handle of officialnaptip reads: “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. Call: 07030000203, info@naptip.gov.ng,” the statement read.
According to singer turned social media influencer, declaring him wanted was baseless and has caused irreparable harm to his reputation and personal safety.
Akpi also prayed the court for a perpetual injunction restraining NAPTIP, whether by itself, its agents, servants, officers, operatives, or any individual acting on its instructions, from enforcing or giving effect tothe contents of the June 27 publication.
Recall that a viral video surfaced showing the moment Darlington admitted to having sexual encounter with a minor. Following the outrage, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) intervened, but referred the case to NAPTIP for further investigation.
NAPTIP subsequently invited Darlington to appear at its Abuja headquarters on Friday for questioning regarding the alleged sexual assault.
However, in a recent post, the agency shared Darlington’s response wherein he said the invitation was too “sudden and urgent” and proposed a rescheduled meeting for June 26.
NAPTIP, however, rejected the request, emphasising that the original invitation had been sent on May 28, providing ample time for preparation.
The agency added it is a “matter of national importance,” and ordered Darlington to appear in person by 1:00 pm on Monday, June 2, at its Abuja office.
The singer had since come out to claim it was only a prank. He added that artists like himself need controversy to make a living.
“This video is for all of you who are raging because I said I had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old. I’m an artiste, we need controversy to eat. If you are not trending, you are not going to get booked for shows. I just dropped a song titled ‘Village Girl.’ It’s about coitus. I don’t do Christian music. When we release a song like that, we make sexual content to promote it.
“So, that was what I was doing. Don’t give it more light than it is supposed to have. But if any of you is offended, apologies… For intending artists, you have to be controversial. That was what you saw me doing in that video, selling my market. That’s what it is. And I hope you guys understand. Peace!”