Speed Darlington’s detention prolonged amid allegations of high-profile interference
Weeks after Nigerian rapper Speed Darlington was arrested and detained, his lawyer has suggested that influential figures may be behind delays in his release. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who represents Darlington, disclosed that police have refused to grant the rapper administrative bail, citing claims that he previously jumped bail.
“The reason Speed Darlington has not been released is because police do not want to grant him administrative bail. We asked them for their reason, and they said he jumped bail the first time,” Adeyanju told The Cable.
The lawyer also accused the police of obstructing the case’s progression, stating that attempts to secure a court bail have been hindered by scheduling delays. “Court claiming that they have scheduled for the year. We even tried to arraign and bring him to court last week Thursday. The law says they cannot hear us if the matter is not on the court list,” he said.
Adeyanju revealed that Darlington is scheduled to be arraigned on January 14 and 15, 2024, but his legal team is determined to secure his release before the holiday season. “He is not spending Christmas and New Year in detention. We have been doing all we can. We are moving a motion. We will be in court again tomorrow,” he added.
The case has sparked controversy after Adeyanju previously linked Afrobeats star Burna Boy to Darlington’s arrest, though no official confirmation of such involvement has been made. The lawyer alleged, “It is obvious that some high-profile persons are involved in this matter.”
Adeyanju stated that they plan to file an ex-parte application to expedite the court process and secure bail for Darlington. “Once he is arraigned in court, why not? We would meet the bail. No judge would not want to grant him bail, because he has been in detention for the past four weeks for a mere civil action,” he said.
The legal team remains focused on ensuring Darlington’s swift release, despite the challenges posed by what they describe as unnecessary delays and external interference.
