Speed Darlington Sues NAPTIP for ₦3 Billion Over ‘Wanted’ Declaration

Controversial Nigerian rapper, Speed Darlington, has dragged the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to court, demanding ₦3 billion in damages for allegedly violating his fundamental human rights.

The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, stems from NAPTIP’s public declaration of Darlington as “wanted” over allegations including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.

The agency issued the notice on June 27, citing the rapper’s refusal to appear for questioning after he publicly claimed to have had sex with a 15-year-old girl. Darlington later retracted the claim, saying it was purely fictional.

In his court filing, the rapper argued that NAPTIP’s declaration was unconstitutional and made without a court order, thereby infringing on his rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, private life, and protection against inhuman or degrading treatment.

He is seeking ₦1 billion in general damages and ₦2 billion in punitive damages, along with a 5% monthly interest until full payment is made. Additionally, Darlington is asking the court to compel NAPTIP to issue a public apology and to permanently bar the agency from acting further on the “wanted” notice.