Nigerian rapper Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), have disagreed over the scheduled date for his appearance for interrogation over alleged sexual intercourse with a minor.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that this latest development is the second time the rapper failed to honour the NAPTIP interrogation summons.
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In a statement on Friday, the agency said the singer had until 2 June to present himself at its headquarters after he refused to honour its first invitation sent on 28 May.
The agency had invited Speed Darlington after he confessed during an Instagram Live video to having slept with a 15-year-old girl in a hotel and threatened to take legal action against him if he ignored its invitation.
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However, reacting to NAPTIP’s re-invitation in a statement on his Instagram page on Monday, the ‘Bangdadadang’ crooner insisted he won’t honour the agency’s invitation today (2 June ).
The singer said: “Sadly, what was meant to be a joke has been blown out of proportion by persons looking for fault where none exists. Without conceding to any wrongdoing, may I offer my profound apology for any bad blood or misunderstanding my innocuous actions may have caused the online community?
“But to the discerning, the video was only for clout and entertainment. If the agency requires further clarification, I undertake to avail myself at the agency’s office on June 26, 2025. While thanking you for your understanding, please accept my esteemed regards, always.”
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No sexual assault
Additionally, the ‘Baby Oil’ singer reiterated that he didn’t sexually assault any minors.
He noted that the Instagram video was made purely for entertainment purposes and does not reflect any previous or future event involving him with any female, whether minor or adult.
Earlier, this newspaper reported that the singer confessed because he wanted to trend and promote his newly released song ‘Village Girl.’
“As a role model, I am alive to my responsibilities in helping mould lasting moral values amongst our young ones. I would never deliberately engage in any activity that contravenes this noble responsibility.
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“I acknowledge receipt of your letter (captioned as above) and sent to my Instagram handle on 28 May 2025, inviting me to offer clarifications on certain online videos you alleged contain admissions of sexual acts (if substantiated) and thus constituting offences under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 and Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc Act, 2015”, said Speed Darlington.
The singer further stated that he had neither engaged in nor contemplated any acts of sexual predation, sexual violation, or any other untoward behaviour against the opposite sex.
“As a law-abiding citizen and a man raised by martinet parents under the highest ethical and moral standards.”
As of press time, NAPTIP hasn’t acknowledged the singer’s new statement declining their invitation again.
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