- NAPTIP is considering legal action against Speed Darlington.
- The action follows his failure to respond to an official summons related to a viral video.
- In the video, he allegedly claimed to have had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is considering legal action against entertainer Darlington Okoye, known as Speed Darlington, after he failed to respond to an official summons regarding a viral video where he allegedly claimed to have had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl.
The singer was expected to appear at NAPTIP’s Abuja headquarters by 9:00 a.m. on Friday, but officials confirmed to Saturday Punch that he had not shown up by noon.
A letter addressed to Okoye and signed by Ngamaraju Mangzha, Head of NAPTIP’s Cybercrime Response Team, summoned the singer to answer questions about the disturbing claims made during a live Instagram session.
“As of now, we are still waiting. If we don’t see him, we will take action based on the notice issued. The last paragraph is very clear,” a NAPTIP official who declined to be named told Punch.
Another official said the agency had received no communication or explanation from Okoye regarding his absence.
“It is evening now and we are still waiting. Maybe he had a delayed flight. He has not communicated officially with us,” the source added.
The official also explained that concerned Nigerians initially tagged the Lagos State Government after the video surfaced online.
“People tagged the Lagos State Government and even called our Lagos Zonal Commander. But because the offence could not be confirmed to have occurred in Lagos, the matter was referred to the national headquarters in Abuja,” he said.
NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Adekoye Vincent, said the agency’s Director-General, Binta Bello, is closely monitoring the situation because of its gravity and implications for the rights of minors.
“We are concerned. Our DG is seriously concerned. She’s monitoring the situation by the hour,” he said.
Adekoye noted that Speed Darlington’s confession was voluntary and without coercion.
“He was not under duress. It was an admission. Look at what he released yesterday: a video saying that if he had known the 15-year-old would generate this reaction, he would have gone for a 12-year-old,” Adekoye stated.
When asked if the singer would be arrested or prosecuted, Adekoye said the agency would follow due process and respond appropriately.
“His failure to appear will ensure that we know what to do within the law. It may be prosecution or arrest, but whatever it is, we are very concerned,” he said.
Leave a Reply