NAPTIP Reportedly Mulls N50m Bounty On Darlington, Add Entertainer To International Watchlist
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons on Monday said it has added Nigerian entertainer, Darlington Okoye (a.k.a. Speed Darlington), name to an international watch list.
It also said it had alerted Interpol after he ignored multiple summonses over an online confession to having sex with a 15-year-old girl.
According to sources who spoke to The Punch correspondents, the agency was also mulling a N50m bounty on the entertainer after the gestational period of the wanted status.
“We are collaborating with the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Police, the DSS, and even the Interpol.
“We have put all of them on procedural notice so that wherever they see him, they can take action.
“The reason we did this is because we have given him enough opportunity,” NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, confirmed in an exclusive interview with The Punch on Monday.
It would be recalled that NAPTIP had on Friday, June 27, declared Okoye wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
On its official Instagram handle @officialnaptip, it wrote, “WANTED BY NAPTIP. Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. Anyone with credible information on his whereabouts is urged to contact NAPTIP immediately. Call: 07030000203, info@naptip.gov.ng.”
However, the singer has since responded defiantly to the development.
In a video shared online via YouTube on Monday, the controversial musician insisted he had committed no crime and dismissed the allegations as baseless.
He accused officials of seeking “social-media clout” and demanded a N2.5m “appearance fee,” insisting the allegations were a publicity stunt.
“I’m not coming. You hear me? I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak,” he said.
Okoye accused NAPTIP of using him to gain “social media clout,” questioning the basis for the agency’s action.
“Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? Do you want to use me to collect social media clout? Hey, look at us. We are doing our job. We summoned a celebrity and he came,” he said.
He went on to describe the invitation as an attempt at psychological manipulation and demanded payment if the agency wanted him to appear.
“N2.5 million is what I charge for my appearance. You want to pay me 2.5 million plus? Round-trip tickets for me and my PA to come. Because I call that appearance,” he added.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
