The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has officially placed controversial Nigerian rapper Darlington Okoye, widely known as Speed Darlington, on its watchlist following his refusal to honor multiple invitations from the agency.
Legal Standoff Escalates
During a press conference held in Abuja on November 24, 2025, NAPTIP's Director of Legal and Prosecution Department, Ijeoma Mary Amugo, confirmed the development. The agency had initially declared the singer wanted on Friday, June 27, 2025 for serious allegations including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
The case against Speed Darlington stems from his alleged claim during a live Instagram video where he reportedly admitted to having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl. This disclosure prompted immediate investigation by NAPTIP, given the grave nature of sexual activity with an underage female.
Failed Attempts and Legal Counterattack
Instead of cooperating with investigators, the rapper filed a lawsuit against NAPTIP, maintaining his innocence and arguing that he committed no crime that warranted being declared wanted. Agency officials described this move as an attempt to intimidate them amid their investigation.
"So what he did was to preemptively try to intimidate us by going to social media to say that he wouldn't come and that he wouldn't respond to us, that we are kind of sitting on his human rights," revealed Director Amugo during the press briefing.
Current Status and Next Steps
NAPTIP investigators have faced significant challenges in physically locating the controversial artist. The agency confirmed they have been unable to trace him to any known address in Nigeria, complicating efforts to bring him to justice.
The latest intelligence suggests Speed Darlington is currently outside the country, though specific details about his whereabouts remain undisclosed. The watchlist placement means that whenever he attempts to re-enter Nigeria, NAPTIP will be alerted immediately to resume their investigation from where it paused.
Director Amugo emphasized the agency's commitment to pursuing the case, stating: "Anytime he enters Nigeria, NAPTIP is going to continue the investigation from where we stopped. So that is the status of the case for now."
The situation represents a significant development in Nigeria's ongoing efforts to combat cybercrimes and protect minors from sexual exploitation, with NAPTIP demonstrating its determination to pursue cases regardless of the celebrity status of those involved.
