NAPTIP Declares Rapper Speed Darlington Wanted Over Alleged Rape, Cyber-Bullying
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has officially declared controversial Nigerian rapper Darlington Okoye, widely known as Speed Darlington, a wanted person. This significant development follows his repeated failure to honour summons for questioning amidst grave allegations of rape, cyber-bullying, and cyber-stalking.
The controversy ignited on Children's Day when a now-viral Instagram Live video surfaced, in which Speed Darlington allegedly claimed to have engaged in sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl. This admission, alongside other archived clips reportedly containing "admissions and degrading commentary concerning minors," sparked immediate and widespread national outrage, drawing strong condemnation from rights activists and the general public.
Within 24 hours of the video's release, the Lagos State Government formally reported the alarming matter to NAPTIP, prompting the federal agency to launch a swift and thorough investigation. NAPTIP, mandated to combat human trafficking and related human rights violations, is investigating Okoye under the purview of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
NAPTIP initially issued a summons on May 28, 2025, signed by its Head of Cybercrime Response Team, Ngamaraju Mangzha, directing Speed Darlington to appear at its Abuja headquarters by 9 a.m. on May 30, 2025. The letter explicitly referenced the damning Instagram video and the alleged offenses.
While Speed Darlington acknowledged receipt of the summons, he cited an inability to attend on the stipulated date, offering to appear on June 26 instead. However, NAPTIP firmly rejected this rescheduling, emphasizing the urgency of the allegations. The agency reportedly granted him another opportunity to appear on June 2, 2025, which he also failed to honour.
Consequently, following his repeated non-compliance, NAPTIP officially declared him wanted on Friday, June 27, 2025, via a statement posted on its official Instagram account. The statement, prominently titled "WANTED BY NAPTIP," urged anyone with credible information regarding Okoye's whereabouts to contact the agency immediately.
Speed Darlington is now considered a fugitive from justice in Nigeria. The allegations, particularly those concerning a minor, are exceptionally serious and carry severe legal ramifications under Nigerian law. This case highlights Nigeria's intensified efforts to combat online crimes and protect vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation and abuse in the digital space.
