Popular Nigerian entertainer Speed Darlington, whose real name is Darlington Achakpo, has regained his freedom after spending two months in detention.
The controversial artist was incarcerated following allegations of falsely accusing Grammy Award-winning musician Burna Boy. He was released on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
The legal team representing Speed Darlington, led by Barrister Stan, expressed their determination to pursue justice for what they described as the entertainer’s illegal incarceration. In an official statement, Barrister Stan said:
“Delighted to announce that our client, Mr. Darlington Achakpo a.k.a. Speed Darlington (Akpi), has regained his freedom after two months of illegal incarceration.
For the record, as his team of lawyers, we will be exploring every angle of the law to ensure that he gets justice for his fundamental human rights, which were deprived of him by the Nigerian Police Force, and for the unfair and unjust treatment he was subjected to.
Mr. Achakpo extends his gratitude to everyone who threw in their support. Special thanks to my colleagues, Mr. Marshal Abubakar Esq., Barr. Deji Adeyanju, Barr. Hamza Nuh, and Barr. David. Freedom cometh by struggle.”
The incident leading to Speed Darlington’s detention began with his public accusation against Burna Boy.
The Nigerian Police reportedly initiated legal proceedings after finding the claims to be false, resulting in the entertainer’s arrest and subsequent imprisonment.
His release has sparked reactions across social media, with fans and supporters celebrating the news and calling for transparency in the handling of such cases.
Many have urged the authorities to ensure fairness in addressing human rights issues, particularly regarding the treatment of individuals in detention.
Speed Darlington’s camp has pledged to remain vocal about his experiences and to challenge the actions that led to his prolonged imprisonment.
As the legal team prepares to explore further actions, the entertainer has expressed gratitude to his supporters and those who advocated for his release.
This development marks another chapter in the controversial figure’s public life, and all eyes will be on the next steps in his legal pursuit for justice.