Darlington Okoye, a popular performer in Nigeria and known as Speed Darlington, has refuted allegations made against him and said he will not comply with a summons issued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Additionally, he stated that his entertainment fee is $2. 5 million.
The singer claimed in a video that was posted on his Instagram account on Monday that he had no criminal history and that the allegations were unsubstantiated, accusing the organization of attempting to gain social media attention.
“This video I’m creating is for NAPTIP,” I said. Attention should be paid to you. You must all take down all the wanted posters that people posted around.
“I’m not coming,” I said. Do you hear me? I’m not coming, I promise. I’ve never broken any laws. I simply spoke. “Irresponsible is not a crime,” O’Okaye asserted.
The singer, 41, accused NAPTIP of trying to get his attention on social media, questioned the organization’s motives, and demanded that there be proof of any wrongdoing.
Where is your proof, exactly? The complainant is who? Would you like to use me to gather influence on social media? Hello, please observe us. Our jobs are being carried out. He said, “We called a celebrity, and he arrived.”
The “Baby Oil” singer further claimed that he would only show up if he paid the agency’s standard appearance fee and described it as a psychological ploy.
I charge $2. 5 million for my appearance, they say. You want to pay me $2. 5 million plus round-trip tickets so that my PA can travel? Because I refer to that appearance, he continued.
Read more about the alleged rape, including NAPTIP’s declaration of speed for Darlington wanted.
Speed Darlington defended his controversied Instagram account, in which he appeared to confess to sleeping with a 15-year-old girl, as unjustifiable.
There is no crime, they say. I made a claim for it all along. You lack proof. Which one is cyberstalking, and why is it a waste of my time to come here? I followed who? In the video, did I bully, call someone names, or post something?
He also criticized the women who allegedly “hated him” by NAPTIP and threatened to sue the organization for defamation if his name wasn’t removed.
He resisted saying, “You have no evidence against me.”
Summons and Allegations
Last Friday, NAPTIP’s official Instagram account called for Okoye to report any information to the public.
According to the organization, “Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged crimes, including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.”
Following his viral Children’s Day livestream, Okoye’s failure to follow up with several summonses from the agency and issue a statement following outcry and concern from women’s rights organizations. NAPTIP was also informed of the incident by the Lagos State government.
He was initially summoned by the agency on May 28 to appear in Abuja on May 30. Instead, he suggested June 26. The singer also ignored the new date’s rejection, citing the urgency of the situation, and announcing a final deadline of 2 June.
The organization warned of potential legal repercussions for non-compliance in a letter warning that the issue at hand is of urgent national importance and necessitates an urgent response.
Although Okoye later claimed the video was a joke intended to promote his music, critics argued that making fun of child sexual abuse, even in jest, was unacceptable.
According to NAPTIP, his assertions could constitute violations of the 2015 Cybercrime and Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Acts.
Source: Channels TV
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