The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has placed Nigerian singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, on an international watchlist. The agency is also considering a N50 million bounty for anyone who can help locate him.
NAPTIP took this action after Speed Darlington ignored several invitations to explain a viral video in which he allegedly confessed to having sex with a 15-year-old girl.
“We have followed the normal legal procedure involved in declaring somebody wanted. We got a court order to watchlist him,” said Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, in an interview with The PUNCH on Monday.
Adekoye said NAPTIP has alerted the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and Interpol.
“Wherever they see him, they can take action,” he added.
On June 27, NAPTIP declared the singer wanted for alleged offences, including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. The agency posted the notice on Instagram, urging anyone with useful information to contact them.
However, Speed Darlington has refused to cooperate. In a YouTube video, he denied committing any crime and accused NAPTIP of chasing social media attention.
“I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak,” he said.
He mocked the agency’s invitation and demanded a N2.5 million “appearance fee” and round-trip tickets for him and his personal assistant.
“Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? Do you want to use me to collect social media clout?” he asked in the video.
The trouble started after a live Instagram session where Speed Darlington talked about having sex with a minor, mentioning “blood coming out” during the act. The video sparked public outrage.
NAPTIP first invited him on May 30, but he failed to appear. He later proposed June 26 as a new date but also failed to show up.
Adekoye said, “We have given him enough opportunity. If someone is declared wanted, they become a target even outside Nigeria. Our advice is, wherever he is, he should turn himself in.”
Another NAPTIP official who spoke anonymously said the agency is preparing to offer a reward.
“We are working with our legal department and considering a N50 million bounty. We want to follow due process, but we will move to the next level if he continues to hide,” the official said.
“If his hands are clean as he said, why is he running? He should turn himself in and clear the air,” the official added.