Speed Darlington Sues NAPTIP Over Notice
Speed Darlington sues NAPTIP for ₦3bn over a public “wanted” notice he claims is defamatory, denying all allegations of rape and cyberbullying on Instagram
Controversial entertainer Darlington Okoye, widely known as Speed Darlington, has filed a ₦3 billion lawsuit against the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), claiming the agency defamed him by publicly declaring him wanted.
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The Speed Darlington sues NAPTIP case was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 9, 2025, by a consortium of female attorneys representing the singer.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1354/2025, demands both financial damages and a perpetual injunction restraining NAPTIP from enforcing the publication issued on June 27.
The declaration, widely circulated in national dailies and online, featured his photo under the headline “Wanted by NAPTIP” and accused him of multiple offences, including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
NAPTIP had earlier alleged that Speed Darlington admitted in a livestream to having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl. The agency’s Instagram post read:
“WANTED BY NAPTIP. Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking…”
In the court filing, the singer asserts that the claims are unfounded and have severely damaged his reputation, dignity, and safety.
He seeks not only monetary compensation but also a court order preventing the agency or its operatives from acting further on the notice.
You have no evidence. You have nothing. So, my coming here is a waste of my time.
Responding defiantly in a YouTube video, Speed Darlington denied the allegations outright.
“I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak,” he said. “You have no evidence. You have nothing. So, my coming here is a waste of my time.”
Mocking NAPTIP’s summons, he demanded a ₦2.5 million appearance fee and travel costs.
“₦2.5 million is what I charge for my appearance. You want to pay that, plus round-trip tickets? Because I call that appearance,” he scoffed.
He also questioned the legitimacy of the case:
“Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? Do you want to use me to collect social media clout?”
The Speed Darlington sues NAPTIP suit could set a legal precedent regarding how regulatory agencies issue public notices without formal charges or due process.
Legal experts are already weighing in on the balance between public interest and individual rights to dignity and presumption of innocence.
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NAPTIP has yet to issue an official response to the lawsuit, but the case is expected to attract significant media and legal attention as it progresses.
