The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the ₦300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by popular singer Darlington Achakpo, also known as Speed Darlington, against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The case, initially scheduled for Monday, has been moved to March 19 for the adoption of processes.
Justice Musa Liman announced the adjournment after CSP Audu Garba, representing the IGP, informed the court that the police had recently filed a further counter-affidavit in response to the singer’s additional affidavit.
Speed Darlington’s lawyer, Rosemary Hamza, told the court that she had not yet been served with the new document, prompting the need for more time to prepare an appropriate response.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, seeks four orders from the court, including a declaration that Speed Darlington’s arrest and detention violated his fundamental rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
The suit, filed by human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, also requests:
1. An order for the immediate and unconditional release of Speed Darlington from police custody.
2. Alternatively, an order compelling the IGP to produce him in court for an inquiry into the circumstances of his arrest and detention, with a possibility of granting him bail.
3. An order directing the IGP to pay ₦300 million as general, exemplary, and aggravating damages for his unlawful detention since 2024.
Allegations Against the Police
According to an affidavit deposed to by Esther Eyisi, a secretary in the law firm representing the singer, Speed Darlington was first arrested on October 4, 2024, over allegations of defaming musician Burna Boy.
Eyisi stated that the singer was illegally detained for five days, subjected to inhumane treatment, and later granted bail.
She further alleged that he was rearrested on November 27, 2024, for purportedly jumping administrative bail despite notifying the police of his medical emergency and obtaining permission to travel to Owerri for a performance.
The affidavit emphasized that his continued detention without arraignment violated his constitutional rights, describing him as the breadwinner of his family.
Police Response
In a counter-affidavit filed by SP David Atama, the police claimed they acted on a petition from Burna Boy, alleging threats to his life and intimidation.
The petition, dated September 24, 2024, was submitted by Burna Boy’s counsel, G.C. Ijioma of Rockfold Chambers.
SP Atama alleged that Speed Darlington admitted to the offence during interrogation.
However, the singer has denied these claims in a further affidavit, asserting that he never confessed to any crime and that the allegations are baseless.
Recent Developments
Meanwhile, on January 15, Justice Ekerete Akpan of another Federal High Court in Abuja granted Speed Darlington bail of ₦20 million with one surety.
The bail ruling followed a two-count charge against the singer related to alleged cybercrime, to which he pleaded not guilty.
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