Nigerian Police Refused To Release Speed Darlington Despite Court Order – Deji Adeyanju

Activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has tackled Nigerian police over the prolonged detention of rapper Darlington Okoye, better known as Speed Darlington, even after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail.

Speed Darlington has remained in police custody since November 27, following his re-arrest by the Nigerian police in Owerri, Imo State.

KanyiDaily recalls that the rapper was first arrested in October after his colleague, Burna Boy, filed a petition against him over alleged cyberbullying and defamation.

On Monday, December 23, the Federal High Court granted Speed Darlington unconditional bail, requiring only that his legal team submit the ruling to the police legal department for further processing.

The department was expected to forward the court order to the Force Investigation Department (FID), where the rapper is being held, for implementation.

Although his legal team has presented the court order, the police have yet to take any action, leaving Speed Darlington in custody.

On Thursday, Adeyanju took to his X account to criticize the police for disregarding the court’s directive. He described their inaction as a blatant violation of judicial authority.

“The Nigerian Police have refused to release Speed Darlington a.k.a AKPI despite the explicit order of the Federal High Court to do so. This is the highest form of disrespect to the judiciary,” Adeyanju wrote.

KanyiDaily recalls that Speed Darlington was granted bail by the court ahead of Christmas and New Year festivities, following three weeks in detention.