I'm not coming, pay me ₦2.5m first, Speed Darlington replies NAPTIP
Controversial singer, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has said he will not honour National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)’s invitation.
In a video shared on Monday, the entertainer said he had not committed any crime and told the agency to take down the notice declaring him wanted.
This comes days after NAPTIP declared the US-based singer wanted for allegedly refusing to honour its invitation over a viral video where he claimed to have slept with a 15-year-old girl.
He is being sought over alleged offences bordering on rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
He said, “All these wanted posters you people plaster everywhere, you all need to take that shit down. I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. Irresponsible talk is now a crime?”
He also demanded a ₦2.5 million appearance fee and round-trip tickets for himself and his personal assistant before he would consider honouring the agency’s invitation.
“2.5 million is what I charge for appearance. You people will pay me ₦2.5 million plus round-trip ticket for me and my PA to come. Which one is cyberstalking? Who did I stalk?” he said.
The singer also launched verbal attacks on women who had reportedly petitioned NAPTIP after his comments went viral, describing them as “30 and 20-something-year-olds who have not found a husband.”
He said, “All those women that are tagging you guys are a bunch of 30 and 20-something-year-olds who have not found a husband, so Speed Darlington does not have eyes for your age mates. They are hating on me because I’m popular and people listen to the things I say.”
He added, “So if I say I do not have eyes for 30s, 40s, and late 20s, boys should not go look their way.”
NAPTIP had previously accused the entertainer of refusing to honour two separate invitations to appear at its headquarters in Abuja, after his viral Children’s Day video triggered outrage from rights groups and online viewers.
The agency, in a statement last Friday, urged the public to provide information on the singer’s whereabouts.
As of the time of filing this report, NAPTIP has yet to respond to Speed Darlington’s latest comments.