Controversial Nigerian singer, Speed Darlington has dismissed a notice issued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) declaring him wanted.
The agency accused him of offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking, and made the declaration public on Friday, June 28, through its verified Instagram handle.
According to NAPTIP, the singer was being sought in relation to a viral Instagram video where he claimed to have had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl.
The video triggered public outcry and calls for his arrest.
Following this, the agency invited him for questioning on May 30, 2025, at its headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
However, the singer failed to appear.
Instead of honouring the initial date, Darlington requested a new appointment for June 26, citing personal engagements.
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In response, NAPTIP issued a second letter signed by its Director of Information and Communications Technology, urging him to appear by June 2 due to the urgency and nature of the case.
The letter explained that he had been given adequate notice, but despite this second opportunity, he still did not turn up.
The agency’s decision to make his wanted status public came weeks after these developments.
In the wanted post, NAPTIP urged anyone with useful information about his whereabouts to report to the nearest office.
In his reaction, Speed Darlington dismissed the development and said the agency lacked the legal right to label him a wanted person.
He noted that his lawyer had received the notice and would handle the issue.
He accused the agency of trying to embarrass him rather than follow proper procedures.
The singer also addressed the viral video that sparked the situation.
He claimed the statement about the 15-year-old girl was a joke meant to draw attention to his new song.
He referred to the video as a “publicity stunt” and later called it a “prank.”
