Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju reveals that Speed Darlington remains in police custody after being denied bail over alleged defamation of Burna Boy.

Nigerian singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, remains in police custody after being denied bail over alleged defamation of fellow artist Damini Ogulu, also known as Burna Boy.

Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who is representing the artist, confirmed the development in an update shared on his official Facebook page on Wednesday night.

Speed Darlington was rearrested on Tuesday during a performance in Owerri, the Imo State capital, for alleged cyberstalking of Burna Boy.

According to Adeyanju, the Nigeria Police Force transferred the artist from Owerri to Abuja but refused to grant bail despite legal efforts.

In his post, Adeyanju wrote:

“The Nigerian police brought our client Speed Darlington to Abuja from Owerri this evening, and I just met him. They have refused to release him on bail over defamation of Burna Boy. Burna Boy, the Ojuelegba Fela sings about oppression, but oppresses Akpi with the police.”

The arrest stems from allegations that Speed Darlington made defamatory remarks about Burna Boy online, sparking legal action.

This case highlights the increasing tension between freedom of expression and defamation laws in Nigeria, especially when involving high-profile individuals.

While fans of Speed Darlington await further updates, his legal team has pledged to continue fighting for his release, raising questions about the balance between artistic rivalry and legal recourse in the entertainment industry.