On Monday, January 6, 2025, Justice M.S. Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered the immediate release of singer Speed Darlington from detention.
The ruling came after weeks of public outcry over the performer’s prolonged incarceration. Justice Liman directed the Inspector General of Police and the Nigerian Police Force to either charge Darlington, whose real name is Darlington Okoye, to court within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.
This decision marked a critical turning point in the legal battle surrounding the controversial singer, who had spent nearly a month in detention before being granted bail two weeks ago.
Despite the court’s earlier directive granting Darlington bail, the Nigerian Police Force failed to comply, keeping the singer in custody.
Justice Liman condemned this action, describing it as a gross violation of Darlington’s fundamental rights. In his ruling, he stated,
“The applicant is to be charged to court within 48 hours or released unconditionally before the hearing of the substantive application.”
This ruling reinforced the constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, and freedom of expression enshrined in Chapter IV of the Nigerian Constitution.
Darlington’s legal team, led by defense counsel Stanley Alieke and Human Rights Lawyer Deji Adeyanju, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the police’s non-compliance.
They described the situation as an affront to the rule of law and a glaring example of institutional lawlessness. Alieke took to social media to voice his frustration, writing,
“The respite from this whole Akpi brouhaha is that due to the public attention it has garnered, it has shone a light on how autocratic the Nigerian Police Force is and how they flagrantly disobey court rulings once they are sentimentally attached to a case.”
Alieke further highlighted the broader implications of the police’s actions, stating,
“When some of us speak against the lawlessness in the Nigerian Police Force, people feel we have personal grievances against them. No, I, personally, have a lot of senior police officers as friends and clients, but we can’t achieve a near-perfect society with this kind of police force.”
His comments underscored the urgent need for institutional reforms within the Nigerian Police Force to prevent future violations of citizens’ rights.
Deji Adeyanju, in his reaction, condemned the continued detention of Speed Darlington despite the court order.
“The Nigerian Police have refused to release Speed Darlington, a.k.a. Akpi, despite the explicit order of the Federal High Court to do so. This is the highest form of disrespect to the judiciary,” he said.
Adeyanju emphasized that such disregard for court rulings undermines the integrity of the judicial system and sets a dangerous precedent for the rule of law in Nigeria.
The ruling has reignited public debate about the state of law enforcement and judicial accountability in the country.
Human rights activists and legal experts have weighed in, calling for stronger measures to ensure compliance with court orders.
Many argue that cases like Darlington’s highlight the systemic issues within the Nigerian Police Force, including the frequent disregard for due process and the rights of citizens.
While Darlington’s continued detention remains a source of outrage, the court’s ruling has brought renewed hope for his release.
Supporters and fans of the singer have taken to social media to express solidarity, with hashtags demanding his freedom trending across platforms.
The case has also attracted the attention of international human rights organizations, further amplifying the call for justice.
As the 48-hour deadline looms, all eyes remain on the Nigerian Police Force to see if they will comply with the court’s directive.
For now, Justice Liman’s ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the fundamental rights of every citizen, regardless of their status or public persona.
