The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has declared controversial Nigerian entertainer, Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, wanted in connection with serious allegations including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
The announcement, made via NAPTIP’s verified Instagram handle on Friday afternoon, followed weeks of public outrage and Okoye’s repeated failure to honour official summons. The agency urged anyone with credible information about his whereabouts to contact them via their hotline or email address.
The charges stem from a now-viral Instagram Live session in which Okoye claimed to have had sex with a 15-year-old virgin. The video, which surfaced on Children’s Day, drew sharp criticism from women’s rights groups, child advocacy organizations, and government officials. Critics said the entertainer’s comments amounted to a public confession of statutory rape.
In response, NAPTIP issued a formal invitation to Okoye on May 28, asking him to appear at the agency’s Abuja headquarters on May 30. Okoye failed to show up, claiming prior commitments and requesting a rescheduled date of June 26. When that date arrived, he was again absent.
Subsequent correspondence between NAPTIP and Okoye, which was made public, shows that the agency rejected his proposed schedule, emphasizing the “national urgency” of the case. NAPTIP’s Director of ICT and Cybercrime, Hakeem Lawal, noted in a letter that Okoye had been given “sufficient time” to comply and that his failure to appear would lead to further legal action.
An anonymous NAPTIP official confirmed that the agency is now exploring all legal options, including potential collaboration with other law enforcement agencies to prevent Okoye from fleeing the country. “We are working with sister agencies to ensure he is held accountable. No one is above the law,” the official said.
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In a series of Instagram posts following the backlash, Speed Darlington claimed the confession was staged as a publicity stunt to promote new music. He described it as a “prank”, but his explanation did little to quiet critics. In one follow-up video, he made additional inflammatory remarks, saying, “If I knew the 15-year-old comment would cause this much drama, I would’ve said 12.”
NAPTIP’s spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, confirmed that the Director-General, Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi, is personally monitoring the case. “This is about a minor. It’s a serious matter. Our DG is concerned about the rights and safety of children, and this case is a top priority,” he said.
Public pressure continues to mount as activists and advocacy groups demand accountability. Legal experts say Okoye could face multiple charges under Nigeria’s Trafficking in Persons Act (2015) and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (2015).
NAPTIP has reiterated that anyone shielding the suspect may also face prosecution. As the case unfolds, Nigerians are watching closely to see whether a bold stance against online abuse and child exploitation will be upheld.
PunchNewspaper
