The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled January 13 to hear a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by detained singer Darlington Achakpo, better known as Speed Darlington, against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The court set the date after Speed Darlington’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, requested an adjournment to allow the I-G’s lawyer, Garba Audu, time to review and respond to the processes served in court.
Justice Musa Liman had previously issued a ruling on December 23, 2024, ordering the I-G to either charge Speed Darlington to court or release him on bail unconditionally within 48 hours.
The judge adjourned the case until January 6 for the hearing of the substantive application.
Speed Darlington, 39, was allegedly arrested by the police over charges of “defamation and cyberstalking” regarding a dispute with popular musician Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu.
He was released on bail on October 8, 2024. Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju claimed that Speed Darlington was detained after a petition from Burna Boy, and was later moved to Abuja.
At Monday’s hearing, Marshal informed the court that the matter was scheduled to hear the originating motion for enforcing Speed Darlington’s fundamental rights.
Although Audu claimed he had not yet been served with the documents, the court confirmed that the police had been duly served. The judge instructed Marshal to hand over a copy of the application to Audu in court.
When asked if Speed Darlington had been released, Marshal responded negatively. Audu explained that a criminal charge had already been filed against Speed Darlington before the singer filed the motion for his release.
He mentioned that the singer had been granted administrative bail but allegedly jumped bail. Audu further stated that a criminal case against Speed Darlington was scheduled for January 15 before Justice Ekerete Akpan.
Marshal asked the court to order the police to release Speed Darlington to him pending his arraignment, but Audu opposed the application.
Justice Liman acknowledged that the police were not in deliberate disobedience to the court order and advised Audu to ensure that Speed Darlington is released to Marshal, who had committed to producing him in court.
“I don’t see anything the police will lose if granted bail,” the judge added, before adjourning the case to January 13 for the hearing of the substantive matter.
In his fundamental rights suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, Speed Darlington seeks a declaration that his arrest and detention violated his rights under the 1999 Constitution.
He also seeks an order for his immediate and unconditional release from detention, or an order compelling the I-G to produce him before the court.
The singer is also demanding N300 million in damages for his unlawful detention.
In an affidavit deposed by Esther Eyisi, a secretary in the law firm, it was alleged that Speed Darlington was first arrested on October 4, 2024, for allegedly defaming Burna Boy.
He was reportedly held for five days without being formally charged and subjected to inhumane conditions.
The affidavit further claims that on November 27, 2024, he was arrested again for allegedly jumping administrative bail despite notifying the police of his medical emergency and obtaining permission to travel for a performance.
Eyisi argued that the continuous detention of Speed Darlington without arraignment violated his constitutional rights, emphasizing his role as the “breadwinner in his family.”
