The lawyer representing Speed Darlington, the controversial Nigerian artist, has attributed his prolonged detention to the influence of high-profile individuals connected to the case.
Speed Darlington’s ongoing detention has sparked widespread curiosity, especially after his second arrest on November 27 during a performance in Owerri, Imo State.
The arrest stemmed from allegations of cyberstalking Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy, a charge that Darlington’s legal team, including lawyers Deji Adeyanju and Stan Alieke, has described as unjust and unwarranted.
In a conversation with Premium Times, Alieke shared that his client’s release is being hindered by the involvement of influential figures and Burna Boy’s prominent status as the complainant.
According to Alieke, defamation is a civil matter rather than a criminal offense, making the police’s actions in detaining Darlington questionable.
“Darlington has already been charged, and the court has set January 14 for a hearing. But we, his legal team, won’t wait that long. Last Thursday, when he was brought before the court, we were told to wait for our turn. We are preparing to file for fundamental rights enforcement before the court recesses. He shouldn’t have to spend the holidays in detention,” Alieke said.
He further explained, “This case has dragged on because of the involvement of powerful figures. Darlington’s arrests—both the first and the second—are unjust and influenced by the status of those involved.”
The lawyer criticized the authorities, saying, “Defamation, by law, is a civil matter. The police have no authority to act on it. Their actions in this case go beyond their statutory powers and violate judicial precedent.”
Alieke maintained that Speed Darlington’s continued detention is not only arbitrary but also a reflection of the undue influence wielded by certain individuals over the justice system.
