Controversial music artiste Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington or Akpi, has stated that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has no right to declare him wanted.
NAPTIP had declared Speed Darlington wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
The post read, “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.”
In an interview with Saturday Beats, Darlington insisted that his lawyer will handle the problem.
He said, “Thanks for the heads up, but I’m not worried. They have no right to declare me wanted. My lawyer has already sent it (the ‘wanted’ posted) to me. They just want to embarrass themselves. My lawyer will handle it.”
NAPTIP’s warning came nearly a month after the musician declined the agency’s invitation to its offices on May 30, 2025, for interrogation regarding his claim of having sex with a 15-year-old girl during a live Instagram video.
According to the agency, the artist requested to perform on June 26, 2025, due to prior commitments.
NAPTIP claimed that they responded to him in another letter signed by its Director of Information and Communications Technology and Coordinator, Cybercrime Response Team, Hakeem Lawal, which stated, “The agency wishes to state that 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.
“However, you are further given till Monday, June 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm, to appear in person at the NAPTIP’s Headquarters: 2028, Dalaba Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, FCT, Abuja, for the interview.”
However, the rapper did not honour the invitation.
The artist then explained that his assertion was a PR gimmick to promote his new song, stating, “I need controversy to eat.”
In another post, he described the video as “a prank”. However, many dismissed his argument, claiming that joking about child sexual abuse is inherently destructive.
