Speed Darlington Akpi Released from Kuje Prison After Months In Custody Over Defamation

Speed Darlington Akpi has been released from Kuje Prison after months in custody over defamation.

Newsone Nigeria reports that Nigerian singer, Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington Akpi has finally been released from Kuje Prison in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

This online news platform understands that Speed Darlington Akpi’s release from Kuje Prison was announced on Tuesday evening by his lawyer, Stan Alieke via social media.

The singer was released after he met all the bail conditions granted to him by the Federal High Court in Abuja last Wednesday.

“Delighted to announce that our client, Mr Darlington Achakpo Aka Speed Darlington (Akpi) has regained his freedom after two months of illegal incarceration.

“For the record, as his team of lawyers, we will be exploring every angle of the law to ensure that he gets justice for his fundamental human right which was deprived of him by the Nigerian Police Force and for the unfair/ unjust treatment he was subjected to.

“Mr Achakpo extends his gratitude to everyone who threw in their support and Special thanks to my colleagues, Mr Marshal Abubakar Esq, Barr Deji Adeyanju, Barr Hamza Nuh, Barr David,” he said.

Darlington was arrested on November 27 during a performance in Owerri, Imo State. He was arrested for alleged defamation by fellow singer, Damini Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy.

“Police finally arraigns Speed Darlington in court. Bail application moved and granted. We are trying to perfect same,” the lawyer announced the granting of the bail application last week.

Before regaining freedom today, the Nigerian police refused to release Speed Darlington who had been in detention since December 2024 despite an explicit order from the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Newsone reports that the court ruled that Darlington’s arrest and detention constituted “a gross violation” of his rights to dignity, liberty, expression, and movement under Chapter IV of the Nigerian Constitution.

Displeased with his detention, Speed Darlington filed a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun over his alleged unlawful detention.