The police in Abuja have released singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, on bail after being detained for three days.
His initial disappearance had caused widespread concern, especially after a video surfaced showing him in handcuffs, indicating he had been arrested.
According to human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, Darlington was arrested in Lagos last Friday before being transferred to Abuja, where he was detained.
Adeyanju explained that the arrest followed a formal complaint filed by Grammy award-winning artist Burna Boy, accusing Darlington of defamation and cyberstalking.
Darlington was released to his lawyer on Tuesday evening after fulfilling the bail conditions set by the police at the Intelligence Response Team department in Abuja.
Adeyanju, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressed gratitude to those who assisted in securing the singer’s release and praised the police for their professionalism in handling the matter.
The case centers on a series of taunts by Darlington directed at Burna Boy. The singer had criticized Burna Boy’s connection to embattled U.S. rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who is currently facing charges related to sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Darlington also questioned the legitimacy of Burna Boy’s Grammy win for the album Twice As Tall, which was executive-produced by Diddy.
He went as far as to allege an inappropriate relationship between the two artists.
In response to the escalating situation, Darlington’s alleged mother, Queen, publicly pleaded with Burna Boy to “tamper justice with mercy,” appealing for a resolution to the conflict.
