Speed Darlington’s lawyer finally reveals date for rapper’s release

• Speed Darlington’s lawyer, Stan Alieke has provided an update on the rapper’s detention.
• He confirmed that Akpi, was arraigned and granted bail today, January 15.
• However, his release was delayed as the court couldn’t complete surety verification on the same day.
• Alieke assured the public that efforts to fulfil the bail conditions are ongoing, expressing hopes that Speed Darlington would be released tomorrow.

Stan Alieke, rapper Speed Darlington’s lawyer has dropped an update on the controversial music star’s detention in police custody.

In a recent Instagram story update, the lawyer confirmed that Speed Darlington, also known as Akpi, was arraigned in court and granted bail today, 15th January.

Despite the favourable ruling, the release process faced delays. According to the lawyer, the court could not complete the verification of the surety provided within the same day, which resulted in Speed Darlington remaining in custody.

The lawyer reassured the public that efforts are underway to finalize the bail conditions, expressing optimism that the artist would be released tomorrow.

Speed Darlington was arrested by Burna Boy over alleged defamation and cyberstalking. He has spent over a month in police custody.

Sharing the update on IG, Stan Alieke wrote:

“Yes, Akpi was arraigned and granted bail today by the court & he was meant to be released today. The court just couldn’t meet up to verify the surety we provided that’s why he wasn’t released today. Hopefully by tommorow he’ll be out after the perfection of the bail conditions.”

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In other news, a Federal High Court in Abuja set January 13 as the date to hear an N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by detained singer, Speed Darlington, against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The court’s decision came after Speed Darlington’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, requested an adjournment to allow the police’s lawyer, Garba Audu, to review and respond to the court documents.

Speed Darlington, whose real name is Darlington Achakpo, was arrested in October 2024 over allegations of defamation and cyberstalking against award-winning artiste, Burna Boy.

He was released on bail but was rearrested in November 2024 for allegedly jumping administrative bail.

The police claim that Speed Darlington was admitted to administrative bail but failed to report on the scheduled date, despite notifying them of his medical emergency and obtaining permission to travel to Owerri, Imo for a performance.

The court had earlier ordered the police to charge Speed Darlington to court or release him on bail within 48 hours, but the police failed to comply, citing the Christmas holiday as a reason for the delay.

Speed Darlington’s lawyer has argued that his client’s continuous detention without arraignment is a violation of his constitutional rights, and has sought an order directing the police to release him immediately and unconditionally.

The case has sparked a lot of interest, with many calling for justice and an end to the alleged abuse of power by the police.

Speed Darlington’s lawyer has also sought an order directing the police to pay his client N300 million in damages for his unlawful detention.

The court’s decision on January 13 will be closely watched, as it will determine the fate of Speed Darlington and the outcome of his fundamental rights enforcement suit.