The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has declared Nigerian rapper Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, wanted over alleged involvement in rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
The agency made the announcement in a statement posted on its official Instagram page on Friday, urging the public to provide credible information about the entertainer’s whereabouts.
“WANTED BY NAPTIP. Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking,” the statement read.
The move follows the rapper’s failure to respond to multiple summons for questioning over a controversial Instagram Live video, in which he claimed to have had sex with a 15-year-old girl. The clip, which surfaced on Children’s Day, provoked public outrage and drew condemnation from rights groups and concerned citizens.
Following the video’s circulation, the Lagos State Government lodged a formal complaint with NAPTIP within 24 hours, prompting the agency to launch a full investigation.
A letter dated May 28, 2025, and signed by NAPTIP’s Head of Cybercrime Response Team, Ngamaraju Mangzha, invited the artist to appear at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja by 9 a.m. on May 30. The letter cited the Instagram video and additional footage allegedly containing disturbing commentary involving minors as potential violations of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Cybercrime Act, 2015.
Speed Darlington acknowledged receiving the invitation but declined the scheduled date, proposing instead to appear on June 26. NAPTIP rejected the postponement, reiterating the urgency of the matter in a follow-up letter signed by Director of ICT & Cybercrime Response, Hakeem Lawal. The agency then gave a final deadline of Monday, June 2, 2025, at 1 p.m. for him to report in person at its Wuse Zone 5 headquarters in Abuja.
Despite the extended deadline, the rapper failed to honour the invitation.
In response, Speed Darlington released a statement via Instagram denying any criminal intent. He described the viral video as a “joke” and a “clout-chasing” act to promote his new single, Village Girl.
“Sadly, what was meant to be a joke has been blown out of proportion by persons looking for fault where none exists,” he wrote. “Without conceding to any wrongdoing, may I offer my profound apology for any bad blood or misunderstanding my innocuous actions may have caused the online community?”
He further stated, “I have neither engaged in nor contemplated any acts of sexual predation, sexual violation, or any other untoward behaviour against the opposite sex,” insisting he was raised under strict moral standards and remains a law-abiding citizen.
This latest controversy comes just months after the artist’s release from detention in January 2025, following his arrest in November 2024. He had been detained over accusations involving fellow musician Burna Boy and American rapper Diddy, which led to the release of his diss track Baby Oil. Despite being granted bail, he spent several weeks in custody before securing release on ₦20 million bail.
Speed Darlington later filed a ₦300 million lawsuit against the Inspector-General of Police, alleging violation of his rights during the detention.
NAPTIP has now urged members of the public with information on his location to come forward as investigations continue.
