A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted singer, Darlington Okoye, also known as Speed Darlington or Akpi, N20m bail.
Justice M.S. Liman, in a ruling on Wednesday, granted him bail with one surety in like sum following his arraignment by the police.
According to the judge, the surety must be a Civil servant of at least grade level 10 and must submit with the registry, verifiable personal documents including two passport photographs.
In addition, the court barred Darlington from travelling outside its jurisdiction while he was on bail.
Counsel to Darlington, Deji Adeyanju who spoke to THE WHISTLER, said they were currently making efforts to perfect his bail conditions.
“He has been granted bail for N20m with one surety in like sum,” he said.
“We are currently trying to perfect his bail conditions.”
Justice Liman had on January 6, ordered the Inspector General of Police to charge Darlington to court or immediately release him from detention, unconditionally.
This followed an earlier order by Justice Liman, on December 23, 2024, directing the police to release the singer but the said order was not obeyed as the police continued to detain him.
In his ruling on January 6, Justice Liman held that Darlington’s continued detention violated his fundamental rights to dignity, liberty, and freedom of expression under Chapter IV of the Nigerian Constitution.
The court reiterated, “The Applicant is to be charged to court within 48 hours or released unconditionally before the hearing of the substantive application.”
Adeyanju added that the court also instructed a member of Darlington’s legal team, Abubakar Marshal, to stand as surety for him.
“The Federal High Court has directed the Nigerian Police to comply with the order to release Speed Darlington immediately pending the hearing of the substantive matter. The court further directs Abubakar Marshal, Esq. to stand as surety to Akpi,” he said.
The singer has been in custody since November 27 in Owerri, Imo State, with his legal team has accused singer Burna Boy of orchestrating the arrest.
This came after Darlington made controversial statements about Burna Boy’s relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs who is facing sex tracking allegation in the U.S.
