Speed Darlington Charged In Court Amid Ongoing Feud With Burna Boy

The case, which stems from allegations of cyberstalking and defamation, is now before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Darlington, whose real name is Darlington Okoye, was arrested on November 27 during a performance in Owerri, Imo State. His lawyer, Stanley Alieke of Law Capitol, confirmed the formal charges and expressed frustration over the rapper’s continued detention, arguing that he is entitled to bail as defamation is no longer a criminal offense in Nigeria.

The legal battle between the two artists dates back to October when Darlington was first arrested for allegedly cyberstalking Burna Boy. The dispute escalated after Darlington mocked Burna Boy’s association with American rapper Diddy, whose legal troubles with the FBI made headlines. Darlington’s social media posts, including a diss track titled “Baby Oil,” appeared to provoke the Grammy award-winning singer.

In a video retrieved, Speed Darlington demanded a public apology from Burna Boy’s mother and N12 million in compensation, stating that only then would he cease his public criticisms.

Alieke refuted claims that his legal team failed to properly advise Darlington, stating they prioritize crisis prevention by monitoring his social media and advising him to remove risky posts. “I firmly believe in crisis prevention over crisis management,” Alieke said.