Speed Darlington sues NAPTIP for ₦3 billion over ‘unlawful’ wanted declaration
Controversial Nigerian artist Speed Darlington has filed a ₦3 billion lawsuit against the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), alleging defamation and unlawful declaration of his person as wanted.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1354/2025, was filed on July 9, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja by a legal team of female lawyers representing the singer. According to the court documents, Speed Darlington claims that NAPTIP’s public announcement portraying him as a wanted man caused significant reputational damage and was executed without due process.
This development follows the agency’s publication of a poster accusing the artist of failing to honour an invitation over the alleged rape of a minor an allegation he reportedly made during a live video session but has since denied repeatedly on social media.
In response to the wanted notice, Speed Darlington, who left the country shortly after the controversy broke out, posted a video insisting on his innocence and dismissing NAPTIP’s actions as unjust.
“This video is for NAPTIP, make una pay attention. All these wanted posters you guys posted need to be taken down. I’m not coming, you hear me? I have not committed any crime. All I did was to speak; irresponsible talk is not a crime. I’m not coming,” he declared.
NAPTIP is yet to publicly respond to the lawsuit as of the time of this report.
