Nigerian singer Darlington Okoye, also known as Speed Darlington, has apologized to Grammy-winning musician Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.
Speed Darlington made this plea in a video shared on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he voiced remorse for any pain and embarrassment he may have inflicted on the singer.
“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologize for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.
The singer conceded that he had been mistaken to assume everyone shared the same temperament, and he added that he wished to see their dispute come to an end.
“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong with me. “I apologize, Burna Boy,” he added.
He further promised to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.
“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality.
“Even indirect comment. I will no longer try to sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.
Speed Darlington likewise gave his word that he would never again bring up the singer’s name should the legal case be settled.
He continued, “I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name.”
This newest plea comes as the feud between the two entertainers continues, having intensified in October 2024 when Speed Darlington shared videos that questioned Burna Boy’s Grammy Award win for his album Twice as Tall and hinted at things regarding his relationship with American music executive Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
Burna Boy then filed a petition with the police alleging defamation and cyberstalking, which resulted in Speed Darlington being arrested in Lagos on October 4, 2024.
He was moved to Abuja, where he remained in detention until his release on October 9, 2024.
The singer’s lawyer, Stan Alieke, had previously released a statement apologizing to Burna Boy, clarifying that the controversial videos were made for entertainment purposes and were never meant to defame or malign the Grammy winner.
Alieke further stated that Speed Darlington had reached out privately to Burna Boy and his team to apologize and clear up his remarks.
Speed Darlington, however, later disassociated himself from the apology, saying his lawyer had advised him to make it so that he could get his seized phone back.
The conflict flared up again in November 2024, when Speed Darlington was arrested once more while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, condemned the arrest as unnecessary and accused Burna Boy of using the police to oppress his client.
The singer’s detention went on for several weeks, and his legal team voiced concerns about the circumstances surrounding his continued custody. He was later arraigned and granted bail in January 2025.
Even after his release, the dispute carried on, with Speed Darlington putting out diss material and making further public remarks about Burna Boy.
His most recent video seems to be yet another effort to put the disagreement to rest, though he made it clear that his promise to stop commenting on the singer was conditional on Burna Boy dropping the charges.
