NAPTIP Rejects Speed Darlington’s Request To Delay Interrogation
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has turned down a request by controversial entertainer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, to appear at its Abuja headquarters on June 26.
The agency, which had summoned Okoye over his viral video where he claimed to have had carnal knowledge of a 15-year-old girl, said the matter was of urgent national importance and could not be delayed.
NAPTIP had asked Okoye to appear for questioning at 9:00 a.m. on May 30, but the singer failed to show up.
In a message to the agency, Okoye said, “Hello, I will not be able to come in today. This is very sudden and urgent for me. I already have commitments and responsibilities. I suggest you reschedule for next month, June 26. I will be in Abuja that day.”
Responding in a letter signed by its Director of ICT and Coordinator, Cybercrime Response Team, Hakeem Lawal, NAPTIP stated, “The Agency wishes to state that the invitation was sent to you on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, giving you sufficient time to prepare and appear as indicated. Moreover, the issue at hand is of urgent national importance and requires an urgent response.
“As such, NAPTIP will not be able to work with your schedule as stated in your response. However, you are further given till Monday, June 2, 2025 at 1:00 pm, to appear in person at the NAPTIP’s Headquarters: 2028, Dalaba Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, FCT, Abuja, for the interview.
“Please, as stated in our earlier correspondence, your cooperation is very critical in this matter.”
However, Okoye did not honour the new date either.
A NAPTIP official told Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, “He has responded on two occasions, giving reasons for not coming. We will not work with his timing; we will soon come out with our position on this. No one is free in the eyes of the law.”
Another official added, “NAPTIP wrote to him, inviting him. First time, he replied that we should give him till June 26. He wrote to us ‘Look, I cannot come because of this and that.’ The agency wrote back again to him that this issue is a matter of national importance that requires urgency.
“The agency will not work with your schedule. He replied again that he will insist on sticking to that date. Now, the agency is studying the situation. When we are making a decision like that, we usually consult with the relevant departments, and taking into consideration the legal implications of our action.
“Don’t forget, even if we say we are taking him to court, they’ve been on strike, they just called it off. So, we are considering our options. But the management is reviewing his response so that we can take a very informed decision.”
NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, confirmed efforts were underway to ensure Okoye does not evade investigation.
“NAPTIP is a proactive agency. We have activated the necessary partnership on this. We are collaborating with sister law enforcement agencies. NAPTIP is exploring all elements to ensure that he comes to answer for what he said. We are not taking chances. We are working with all state and non-state actors on this matter,” Adekoye said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
