Speed Darlington Sues NAPTIP, Demands ₦3 Billion Over “Wanted” Declaration

Popular entertainer Darlington Achakpo Okoye, better known as Speed Darlington, has filed a ₦3 billion lawsuit against the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) at the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 9, 2025 (Case: FHC/ABJ/CS/1354/2025).

NapTIP had declared him “wanted” on June 27, alleging offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking, and urging anyone with information to contact the agency. The statement, publicized via its Instagram account and national outlets, included his name and photo under the banner **“WANTED BY NAPTIP”**.

Speed Darlington’s legal team, led by a consortium of female attorneys, argues that the declaration was baseless, unlawfully defamed him, and exposed him to threats on his safety and reputation . He is seeking full ₦3 billion in damages and a perpetual injunction restraining NAPTIP, its agents, officers, operatives—or anyone acting on its instruction—from further enforcement or effect of the June 27 notice.

The declaration followed a viral Instagram Live video, ostensibly a prank to promote his music, in which he spoke about sexual involvement with a minor. In response, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency referred the matter to NAPTIP, which issued multiple summonses requiring him to appear at its Abuja office—but he did not comply. NAPTIP escalated matters by placing him on an international watchlist and alerting Interpol.

Darlington insists no crime was committed and argues the agency’s move is a dangerous abuse of power: “I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime… All I did was speak”