The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has formally summoned Nigerian singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, to appear at its national headquarters in Abuja on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 9 a.m. The summons follows a viral Instagram Live video in which Speed Darlington claimed to have had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl in a hotel.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) initially addressed the disturbing video but noted its jurisdiction is limited to Lagos State, as the singer did not specify where the incident occurred. Consequently, the matter was escalated to NAPTIP for further investigation and possible prosecution under the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.
In response to the backlash, Speed Darlington released a follow-up video apologizing and explaining that the controversial remarks were part of a publicity stunt to promote his new song. He stated, “I am an artist. I need controversy to eat. If you are not trending, you are not getting booked.” He apologized to anyone offended by his comments.
NAPTIP has confirmed that its Cybercrime Response Team is investigating the video and related content. The agency warned that failure to comply with the summons could lead to legal consequences, emphasizing its commitment to protecting minors and ensuring accountability in cases of alleged sexual abuse or exploitation.
The Lagos State government has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence and urged the public to report any relevant information through official channels.
