Entertainment
VIDEO: ‘I’m Not Coming, My Appearance Fee Is ₦2.5m’ — Speed Darlington Replies NAPTIP
Controversial Nigerian entertainer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has publicly rejected a summons from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) over an alleged rape investigation linked to a viral Children’s Day video.
In a defiant Instagram video posted on Monday, the 41-year-old artist declared,
“I’m not coming. You hear me? I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak. Irresponsible is not a crime.”
He further mocked the agency’s efforts, stating that if they want him to appear, they would have to pay his ₦2.5 million appearance fee — a figure he claims is standard for his public engagements.
NAPTIP had on Friday, June 27, declared Okoye wanted after he failed to respond to several summonses. The agency also encouraged the public to provide information on his whereabouts.
Speed Darlington, however, dismissed the move as a publicity stunt, saying:
“You want to use me to collect social media clout? ‘Hey, look at us. We are doing our job. We summoned a celebrity and he came.’”
He also challenged the agency to present concrete evidence or reveal the identity of any alleged complainant, continuing to insist that the accusations are baseless.
As of now, NAPTIP has not responded to Okoye’s video, and it remains unclear whether further legal steps will be taken to compel his appearance.
