A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by controversial singer Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), to March 19, 2025. Justice Musa Liman set the date after police counsel CSP Audu Garba informed the court of a new counter affidavit filed in response to Speed Darlington’s previous submission.
The singer, through his lawyer Rosemary Hamza, accused the police of violating his fundamental rights by unlawfully arresting and detaining him without due process. Hamza told the court she had not been served the new affidavit and needed time to review it, prompting the adjournment.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, stems from Speed Darlington’s claim that his arrest and detention since November 27, 2024, were unconstitutional. The musician seeks an immediate court order for his release and N300 million in damages for what he described as “unlawful detention, torture, and maltreatment.”
The controversy began on October 4, 2024, when Speed Darlington was arrested following a petition filed by Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy. The petition accused him of defamation, threats, and intimidation under Section 24 of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act, 2015. Speed Darlington alleged he was detained for five days in inhumane conditions without being formally charged. Though later granted administrative bail, he was re-arrested in November for allegedly jumping bail, a claim he denies.
The police, however, maintain that Speed Darlington admitted to the offenses during questioning. SP David Atama, in a counter affidavit, stated that the singer’s actions violated cybercrime laws and posed a security threat. Speed Darlington has refuted these claims, calling them false and insisting he never admitted to any wrongdoing.
The singer’s legal team argues that his continuous detention violates his constitutional rights and disrupts his responsibilities as the breadwinner of his family. He also claims his inability to report to the police on the alleged bail-jumping date was due to a medical emergency and a scheduled performance in Owerri, for which he had informed the authorities.
Meanwhile, Justice Ekerete Akpan of a sister court in Abuja granted Speed Darlington bail on January 15, 2025, in a separate case involving cybercrime allegations. The court imposed a N20 million bail with one surety after the singer pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The March 19 court date will see both parties adopt their processes, while legal analysts expect the case to test the boundaries of fundamental rights enforcement in Nigeria’s justice system.