A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to release detained singer Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, within 48 hours.
Justice Musa Liman, delivering the ruling on Monday, directed that the singer should either be charged to court or released on bail unconditionally.
The order followed an ex-parte motion filed by Darlington’s counsel, David Ihuoma.
The judge adjourned the substantive case to Jan. 6 for hearing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Speed Darlington, 39, was initially arrested on October 4 over allegations of defamation and cyberstalking directed at Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu.
He was later released on bail on Oct. 8 but rearrested on Nov. 27 and has remained in detention since then.
According to human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Speed Darlington was apprehended in Lagos State following a petition filed by Burna Boy and subsequently transferred to Abuja.
The arrest stemmed from a controversial video in which the singer allegedly mocked Burna Boy’s connection with American rapper Diddy, who had faced legal issues in the U.S.
In an ex-parte motion filed on Dec. 13, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, Darlington’s legal team sought his release from the Force Intelligence Bureau’s detention facility or any other location where he might be held.
Alternatively, they requested that he be granted bail on liberal terms pending the determination of the substantive case.
In an affidavit deposed by Esther Eyisi, a secretary in Deji Adeyanju & Partners’ law firm, it was alleged that Darlington had been unlawfully detained since Nov. 27 without arraignment.
Eyisi claimed the singer was initially granted administrative bail following his October arrest but was rearrested on the pretext of being arraigned in court. However, he has remained in detention instead.
She further stated that Darlington had been suffering from severe high blood pressure while in custody, requiring urgent medical attention.
“His blood pressure recently spiked beyond manageable levels, but despite repeated demands, he has been denied medical care by the respondent,” Eyisi alleged.
The affidavit also accused the IGP of detaining Darlington arbitrarily without legal justification, describing his continued detention as a violation of his fundamental human rights.
“The applicant desires temporary freedom pending the determination of the substantive motion,” Eyisi stated, adding that Darlington was willing and ready to stand trial whenever the police were prepared to arraign him.
