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“Internet go Begin Sweet Again” – Speed Darlington regains freedom after two months imprisonment
Controversial musician Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has regained his freedom after spending nearly two months in Kuje prison.
Darlington was granted a ₦20 million bail last Wednesday by a Federal High Court in Abuja. His release was confirmed by his lawyer, Stan Alieke, who shared photos with the singer on Instagram. Alieke revealed that Darlington’s legal team would be pursuing legal action against the Nigerian Police Force for what they described as “illegal incarceration.”
In a statement, Alieke wrote: “Delighted to announce that our client, Mr. Darlington Achakpo Aka Speed Darlington (Akpi), has regained his freedom after two months of illegal incarceration. For the record, as his team of lawyers, we will be exploring every angle of the law to ensure that he gets justice for his fundamental human rights, which were deprived of him by the Nigerian Police Force, and for the unfair/unjust treatment he was subjected to.
Mr. Achakpo extends his gratitude to everyone who threw in their support, and special thanks to my colleagues, Mr. Marshal Abubakar Esq., Barr Deji Adeyanju, Barr Hamza Nuh, and Barr David. ~ Freedom cometh by struggle.”
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Darlington was initially arrested in October 2024 following a petition filed by Grammy award-winning artist Burna Boy, accusing him of cyberstalking. The charges stemmed from Darlington’s suggestive remarks about Burna Boy’s alleged affiliation with embattled hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
The singer was re-arrested on November 27, 2024, while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State. He faces charges of cybercrime and is scheduled to return to court on March 18, 2025, for trial.
Darlington’s release has sparked conversations about freedom of expression and the limits of criticism in the Nigerian music industry.