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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has officially summoned Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, following allegations that he sexually abused a minor.
The summons, issued on Thursday, calls on the artist to respond to an official invitation dated May 28, 2025, concerning a viral Instagram video and other materials in which he allegedly admitted to having sexual relations with an underage girl. The agency warned that failure to comply could lead to further legal action.
The two-page summons detailed that the videos circulating online include admissions and degrading comments about minors, which, if proven, violate the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA) 2015 and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. Speed Darlington is required to appear for an interview on May 30, 2025, at the NAPTIP headquarters in Abuja, with any legal representation or relevant documents.
In response to the uproar, Speed Darlington posted a new video denying the earlier claims, attributing them to a marketing stunt for his new song. He apologized to fans offended by his remarks, explaining, “I need controversy to eat. If you are not trending, you are not getting booked. Simple! Nobody is booking something that is not trending.” He described the content as part of his artistic genre and promotional strategy, not a confession.
This is not the first controversy involving Speed Darlington. In 2022, he was involved in a public dispute with neighbors over allegations related to a 16-year-old girl. In 2023, he sparked criticism when he openly sought a girlfriend aged between 16 and 20 years.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) initially responded to the viral video, labeling it “deeply disturbing” and referring the matter to NAPTIP due to jurisdictional limits. The Lagos government reiterated its commitment to combating sexual and gender-based violence and encouraged the public to report relevant information.
