Singer Speed Darlington Arrested And Charged With Defamation Of Burna Boy

Nigerian singer Speed Darlington, popularly known as Akpi, has found himself in legal hot water as a Federal High Court in Abuja formally charges him with defamation. The case stems from his ongoing feud with Grammy Award-winning artist Burna Boy, which has been marked by inflammatory social media posts and public accusations.

Darlington’s legal troubles began in October 2024 when he was first arrested for allegedly cyberstalking Burna Boy. The situation escalated after he mocked Burna Boy’s association with American rapper Diddy, whose legal issues with the FBI were making headlines at the time. In one instance, Darlington released a diss track titled Baby Oil, which included accusations of intimidation and manipulation. The track, which gained significant traction and even made it to Spotify Nigeria’s Top 100, appeared to provoke the Grammy-winning artist further.

Following his initial arrest, Darlington was released on bail after his mother made an emotional public plea. However, his social media activities reignited the tensions, leading to his re-arrest in November 2024 during a performance in Owerri, Imo State. His lawyer, Stanlie Eke, has confirmed that the singer has been formally charged and is now awaiting trial.

Eke raised concerns over the timing of the case, noting that the court’s festive season closure could result in Darlington spending Christmas behind bars if bail is not granted soon. He also emphasized that defamation has been decriminalized in Nigeria and should be resolved through civil action rather than criminal proceedings.