Nigerian singer Speed Darlington, popularly known as Akpi, is set to spend the Christmas season in detention following delays in his court arraignment. According to his lawyer, Stan Alieke, the case has been fully charged to court, but the arraignment was postponed last week due to judges attending a conference. With the festive season approaching, court activities are expected to be on hold until late January, prolonging his detention.
Speed Darlington was re-arrested in Owerri, Imo State, upon his return to Nigeria for a show and subsequently transferred to the Police Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju claims that powerful forces are behind his arrest and detention, labeling the situation as a violation of the singer's rights. He also clarified that Darlington had no intentions of jumping bail and had returned from the US due to an emergency.
Legal steps, including a fundamental rights proceeding filed at the Federal High Court, are underway to secure his release. However, the closure of courts for the festive season will likely delay any significant progress in the case.