The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned Speed Darlington’s N300 million rights enforcement suit against the police until March 19, 2024

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Nigerian singer, Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, against the police.

Also read: Speed Darlington released from Kuje prison after controversial arrest

The case, which challenges his alleged unlawful detention, was rescheduled for March 19, 2024, for the adoption of processes.

The decision came after counsel for the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, CSP Audu Garba, informed the court that the police had filed a further counter affidavit in response to the singer’s previous affidavit.

In turn, Rosemary Hamza, who appeared for Speed Darlington, noted that she had not yet received the necessary documents to prepare an appropriate response.

The case, marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, centres around Speed Darlington’s claims that his arrest and detention violated his fundamental rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

The singer has requested the court to declare his detention unlawful and sought four specific orders. Among them, Darlington demands an immediate and unconditional release, as well as compensation in the sum of N300 million for the damages suffered during his detention.

The singer’s affidavit alleges that he was first arrested on October 4, 2024, for allegedly defaming Burna Boy, a popular musician.

Darlington claims that during his five-day detention, he was subjected to torture and inhumane conditions without being formally charged.

He was later granted bail after five days. His legal team asserts that Darlington was re-arrested on November 27, 2024, on the grounds that he had allegedly breached his administrative bail, despite notifying the police of his medical emergency and securing permission for travel to Owerri, Imo, for a performance.

On the other hand, the police, in their counter affidavit, argue that they detained Darlington following a complaint by Burna Boy.

The musician allegedly accused Darlington of threatening his life and intimidating his followers. The police claim that Darlington admitted to the offense during an investigation, but the singer has denied these allegations, asserting that he never confessed to any wrongdoing.

The singer further contends that the accusations against him were false and misleading, describing them as part of a larger public joke about Burna Boy’s behaviour. He denied any claims of jumping bail, which the police had submitted as part of their case.

In related legal matters, Speed Darlington was granted a N20 million bail on January 15, 2024, after being charged with alleged cybercrime in a separate court.

Justice Ekerete Akpan, who presided over the bail application, ordered that the singer be released with one surety, after he pleaded not guilty to the charges.