The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has declared Nigerian entertainer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, wanted over alleged involvement in rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
In a public notice posted on its official Instagram handle (@officialnaptip) on Friday, June 27, the agency called on anyone with credible information on his whereabouts to come forward. WANTED BY NAPTIP: Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking,” the agency stated. “Anyone with credible information should contact NAPTIP: Call 07030000203 or email info@naptip.gov.ng.
The declaration follows Speed Darlington’s failure to honour multiple invitations by the agency after a controversial Instagram livestream in which he claimed to have had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl. The video sparked outrage, especially as it aired on Children’s Day, and prompted swift action from the Lagos State government, which reported the matter to NAPTIP.
On May 28, the agency issued a formal summons signed by its Head of Cybercrime Response, Ngamaraju Mangzha, requesting Okoye to appear at its Abuja office on May 30. However, he failed to show up. In a written response, he claimed prior commitments and requested a rescheduled date of June 26. Hello, I will not be able to come in today. This is very sudden and urgent for me. I already have commitments,” Okoye wrote. “I suggest you reschedule for next month, June 26. I will be in Abuja that day.
Despite that assurance, he failed to appear again on June 26. An official at NAPTIP, speaking anonymously, said the agency is no longer willing to accommodate his schedule. He responded twice, giving excuses. The agency will not work on his timing. No one is above the law, the official said, adding that legal action is now likely.
Another agency source explained that the matter involves serious allegations under Nigeria’s Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015 and the Cybercrime Act of 2015. The original summon stated that the agency had reviewed “video materials, including one in which the suspect allegedly admits to sexual activity with an underage girl.”
Speed Darlington has since tried to walk back the controversial video, claiming it was a publicity stunt to promote his music. In later posts, he called the video “a prank” and said, “I need controversy to eat.” However, these explanations have done little to ease public outrage, with critics insisting that joking about child sexual abuse is both harmful and unacceptable.
In a related development, Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose, revealed that the girl mentioned in the video is planning to file a formal police complaint.
NAPTIP has made it clear that further delays will not be tolerated. The agency continues to monitor the situation and is expected to take the next steps in its investigation shortly.