Popular activist and human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has sent a message to Grammy Award-winning artist Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, saying that he cannot sing against oppressors while being one himself.
This was as Adeyanju confirmed that the singer and social media sensation, Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, said to be missing is being detained by the Nigerian Police Force in Abuja.
Adeyanju, in a post on X.com on Tuesday, revealed that Speed Darlington, also known as Akpi was arrested in Lagos last Friday and subsequently transferred to Abuja, where he has remained in detention since.
He claimed that the arrest was based on a formal complaint from Burna Boy.
He, however, did not give details of the petition.
Adeyanju said, “We just spent the last 30 minutes with Speed Darlington, and he narrated how he was arrested in Lagos last Friday.
“He was moved around before eventually being brought to Abuja, where he has been in detention since then. We can confirm that the petition against him was written by Burna Boy.
“You can’t sing against oppressors and still be an oppressor.
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“We are now involved in the Speed Darlington matter. We will do everything to get him freed.
“Nobody should be arrested by the police for expressing their views or opinions. We urge the authorities to stop the clampdown on freedom of speech in Nigeria.”
Earlier, a social media influencer, Constance Nwogu had raised an alarm regarding the alleged disappearance of Speed Darlington.
Nwogu, in a message shared on social media on Monday, expressed concern over the artist’s whereabouts, noting that he has been unreachable for three days.
“It has come to our notice that our man Speeddarlington (Akpi) has been missing for days now (three days now),” Nwogu wrote via her Instagram page.
She pointed out that the last post on Speeddarlington’s social media page was made three days ago, a departure from his usual frequent online activities.
It was learnt that Speeddarlington’s last post on his YouTube page was three days ago, October 4, while his last post on Instagram was close to a month ago, September 8, although, he is often used to going live on Instagram.
“Up till now, no one has heard from him. We have all tried to reach him, but to no avail,” she added, emphasising the urgency of the situation.
While there is no confirmed reason for Speed Darlington’s sudden disappearance, Nwogu suggested that it “could possibly be as a result of a video he must have made before now.”
In the video, Speed Darlington questioned the authenticity of Burna Boy’s Grammy award and allegedly linked the African Giant crooner with embattled musician Sean Combs, known as P Diddy or Puff Daddy.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday via X.com, Burna Boy wrote, “Who’s missing?”
This is coming after speed Darlington’s reported missing.
However, there are no direct links to whom Burna Boy is referring.
Subsequently, Nwogu urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in locating the missing entertainer.
“Please, this is important. If there is any information anybody has concerning this, please reach out to me or do not hesitate to put it out, please,” she added.
She assured followers that updates would be provided as new information becomes available.
“We would as well keep everyone posted if we get something. Thank you very much,” Nwogu said.