Just in: Court grants Speed Darlington N20m bail

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted singer Darlington Okoye, also known as Speed Darlington or Akpi, bail in the sum of N20 million.

Justice M.S. Liman gave the ruling on Wednesday after the singer was arraigned by the police. The judge stated that Darlington’s bail must be backed by one surety in the same amount.

The surety is required to be a civil servant of at least grade level 10 and must provide verifiable personal documents, including two passport photographs, to the court registry.

Additionally, the court ruled that Darlington cannot leave its jurisdiction while on bail.

According to The Whistler, Darlington’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, said efforts were underway to meet the bail requirements.

“He has been granted bail for N20m with one surety in like sum,” Adeyanju said. “We are currently trying to perfect his bail conditions.”

Justice Liman had previously ordered the Inspector General of Police on January 6 to either charge Darlington to court or release him unconditionally.

This directive followed an earlier order from December 23, 2024, which instructed the police to release the singer, but the police did not comply. Instead, Darlington remained in detention.

The judge ruled on January 6 that the singer’s continued detention violated his fundamental rights to dignity, liberty, and freedom of expression as stated in Chapter IV of the Nigerian Constitution.

In the ruling, the court stated: “The Applicant is to be charged to court within 48 hours or released unconditionally before the hearing of the substantive application.”

Adeyanju also revealed that a member of Darlington’s legal team, Abubakar Marshal, had been instructed by the court to act as surety.

“The Federal High Court has directed the Nigerian Police to comply with the order to release Speed Darlington immediately pending the hearing of the substantive matter. The court further directs Abubakar Marshal, Esq. to stand as surety to Akpi,” he added.

Darlington has been in custody since November 27, 2024, in Owerri, Imo State. His legal team has accused singer Burna Boy of being behind his arrest.

The allegations against Burna Boy stem from comments Darlington made about Burna Boy’s relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently facing accusations of sex trafficking in the United States.

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