The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the bail application filed by singer, Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington (Akpi).
Speed Darlington’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju who made this known on Wednesday said that the court granted the singer’s bail application when the police finally arraigned him in court on Wednesday.
Adeyanju in a post on his X account said, “Police finally arraigns Speed Darlington in court. Bail application moved and granted. We are trying to perfect same.”
Despite an explicit order from the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Nigerian police refused to release Speed Darlington who had been in detention since December 2024.
The court ruled that Darlington’s arrest and detention constituted “a gross violation” of his rights to dignity, liberty, expression, and movement under Chapter IV of the Nigerian Constitution.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) Abuja, DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, was reminded to comply with a court order regarding the detention of Speed Darlington.
A letter addressed to the DIG FIB dated January 8, 2025, by Rosemary E. Hamza, Esq., from the Chambers of Deji Adeyanju & Partners, had emphasised that the court order, issued by Justice M.S. Liman on December 23, 2024, directed the police to charge Speed Darlington within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.
However, several weeks passed without compliance.
Despite a reiterated order on January 6, 2025, to release Speed Darlington to his lead counsel, Marshal Abubakar, the police imposed new bail conditions, requiring a Grade Level 16 civil servant as a surety.
While the counsel attempted to fulfill these conditions on January 7, 2025, their efforts were unsuccessful as DIG Galadanchi could not be reached on the phone.
Speed Darlington was taken into custody while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State, last November.
He’s been denied bail and hasn’t been charged to court, sparking concerns about his detention.
The arrest stems from allegations of defamation and cyberstalking against fellow artist Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy.
One of his lawyers, Deji Adeyanju, has accused the police of unfairly holding him and refusing to release him.
Darlington has filed a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over his alleged unlawful detention.
