Speed Darlington under investigation over viral video confession

• Says it’s publicity stunt to promote new song
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (LSDSVA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have commenced investigations into controversial rapper Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, following a viral Instagram Live video in which he claimed to have defiled a 15-year-old girl.

In the video, which surfaced on social media, Darlington narrated in Igbo his alleged encounter with a 15-year-old virgin, which he said resulted in bloodied sheets in an unnamed hotel.

Reacting to the video, LSDSVA condemned the incident, describing it as disturbing and noting jurisdictional challenges as the entertainer did not specify where the incident occurred. The agency stated that it has referred the case to NAPTIP for further action.

A statement by the LSDSVA read: “We are aware of the disturbing video currently circulating online, in which a popular entertainer allegedly admits to engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a minor. While the individual in question did not specify the location of the incident during the Instagram Live session, we must clarify that the DSVA’s jurisdiction is limited to Lagos State.

In view of the above, and in line with our commitment to justice, we have escalated the situation to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.”

NAPTIP has since confirmed that it has initiated a full investigation and is working with LSDSVA to address the allegations.

Meanwhile, Speed Darlington has apologised for the controversial video, claiming it was a publicity stunt to promote his new song. In a follow-up video, he said: “All my followers pissed off about the video I recorded in which I spoke about me sleeping with a 15-year-old, I am an artist. I need controversy to eat. If you are not trending, you are not getting booked. Simple! Nobody is booking something that is not trending.”

He added, “I have a new song now. The song is talking about f#ck this, f#ck that. This is my genre. I do not perform Christian music. When I dropped my song, I needed f#ck contents to push it. That is what I was doing. Don’t give it more than it is supposed to have. If any of you are offended, it’s all right. Apologies.”