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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is considering legal action against Nigerian entertainer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, after he failed to honour a formal summons to appear at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday, May 30.
The summons was issued in response to widespread backlash over a viral Instagram video in which Okoye claimed to have had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl. The agency’s letter, dated Wednesday, May 28, and signed by Ngamaraju Mangzha, Head of NAPTIP’s Cybercrime Response Team, directed the artist to report to the agency’s Wuse Zone 5 office by 9:00 a.m. on the stated date.
By midday Friday, an official confirmed that Okoye had not appeared. “As of now, we are still waiting. If we don’t see him, we will act based on the notice issued. The last paragraph is very clear,” the official stated.
Another source within the agency, who spoke anonymously, said Okoye had neither contacted NAPTIP nor offered any explanation for his absence. “We issued a statement summoning him to appear at 9:00 a.m. It’s now evening and we’ve heard nothing. Perhaps he had a delayed flight, but there’s been no official communication.”
The official further clarified how the case fell under NAPTIP’s jurisdiction. “As soon as the video went viral, members of the public began tagging us and the Lagos State Government. However, Lagos authorities stated they couldn’t confirm the offense occurred within their jurisdiction and referred the matter to us due to our national reach.”
The Instagram video, which surfaced on Tuesday, May 27, showed Okoye claiming to have slept with a “15-year-old virgin”—a statement widely interpreted as a public admission of statutory rape. The Lagos State Government escalated the matter to NAPTIP shortly thereafter.
In its formal invitation, the agency wrote:
“We write to formally invite you to appear before the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in respect of certain video materials recently circulated online, including but not limited to a particular Instagram video wherein you allegedly made statements admitting to having engaged in sexual acts with an underage girl. Additional archived videos now in circulation also contain admissions and degrading commentary concerning minors. These actions, if substantiated, constitute offences under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.”
The letter continued:
“You are hereby invited to appear in person for an interview regarding the alleged actions on Friday, May 30, 2025, by 9 a.m. at the NAPTIP Headquarters: 2028 Dalaba Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, FCT. Kindly bring along any legal representation or documents you consider relevant. Please be informed that your cooperation is critical to ensuring a fair and thorough inquiry into the matter.”
It concluded with a stern warning:
“Failure to honour this invitation may result in further legal action.”
NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Mr. Adekoye Vincent, confirmed that the agency’s Director-General, Binta Bello, is personally monitoring the case. “Our DG is seriously concerned. This issue involves the rights of a minor and potential sexual abuse. Anything could have happened to that girl,” he said.
He emphasized that Okoye’s video amounted to an unforced admission. “He wasn’t under duress. It was a clear admission. He even released another video saying that if he had known the 15-year-old would cause such controversy, he would have gone for a 12-year-old.”
When asked whether Okoye might be arrested or the case handed over to police, Adekoye said, “His failure to appear will determine our next steps within the law. Whether it’s prosecution or arrest, we are very concerned.”
Amid growing public outrage, Isaac Fayose—brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose—revealed that the girl mentioned in the video intends to file a formal police complaint.
In an attempt to quell the backlash, Speed Darlington later claimed the video was a “publicity stunt” to promote his music. “I need controversy to eat,” he said, describing the video as “a prank.”
However, the retraction did little to stem public anger. Women’s rights groups and concerned citizens condemned the video and Okoye’s statements, warning that trivializing child sexual abuse is both dangerous and socially unacceptable.
