A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a hearing for January 13, 2025, regarding a ₦300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by detained musician Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington.
The lawsuit is directed at the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and is centered on alleged unlawful detention and the violation of Speed Darlington’s fundamental rights.
The suit, filed on behalf of Speed Darlington by his legal team led by Abubakar Marshal, stems from his prolonged detention following an arrest in connection with allegations of “defamation and cyberstalking” involving Nigerian singer Burna Boy.
Speed Darlington was initially arrested on October 4, 2024, over social media posts that reportedly defamed Burna Boy. Although he was granted bail on October 8, 2024, the police later rearrested him in November 2024 for breaching his bail terms, a claim his legal team disputes.
The singer’s counsel filed a motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights, arguing that his detention violated his constitutional rights. On December 23, 2024, Justice Musa Liman had directed the Inspector-General of Police to either charge Speed Darlington to court or release him unconditionally within 48 hours.
During the court session on January 6, 2025, Speed Darlington’s lawyer, Marshal, informed the court that the police had been served with the relevant legal documents, although the police’s lawyer, Garba Audu, initially claimed he had not received them.
The court, however, confirmed that the documents were properly served and directed Marshal to provide Audu with a copy in court. Marshal also sought Speed Darlington’s release on bail, assuring the court that the singer would attend any scheduled hearings if granted bail.
Audu opposed the application, claiming that Speed Darlington had jumped administrative bail, which resulted in the current legal proceedings. He also stated that a criminal charge had already been filed against the singer before Justice Ekerete Akpan, with the trial now set for January 15, 2025.
Audu further explained that the delay in adhering to the court’s initial order was due to the Christmas holiday period.
In his application, Speed Darlington seeks four orders from the court, including his immediate release or, alternatively, his presentation in court for a review of the conditions surrounding his detention.
He is also demanding ₦300 million in damages for the alleged unlawful detention, which he argues has caused him both emotional and financial hardship.
In an affidavit submitted by the law firm representing Speed Darlington, it was claimed that the singer had been subjected to maltreatment and torture during his five-day initial detention in October 2024.
The affidavit further alleges that, despite notifying the police of a medical emergency and receiving permission to travel for a performance, Speed Darlington was re-arrested on November 27, 2024, for allegedly violating his bail terms. His legal team stresses that his continued detention is unconstitutional and infringes on his rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
Justice Musa Liman, presiding over the case, noted that while the police had not intentionally defied the court’s earlier order, there appeared to be no significant reason for the singer to remain in detention.
The judge advised the police to release Speed Darlington to his counsel pending the outcome of the proceedings, emphasizing that such an action would not harm the police’s position.
The case is set to continue on January 13, 2025, when the court will hear the substantive motion regarding the enforcement of Speed Darlington’s fundamental rights and his demand for compensation for unlawful detention.