Speed Darlington shuns NAPTIP over rape summon - Newstrends
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Speed Darlington shuns NAPTIP over rape summon

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Speed Darlington

Speed Darlington shuns NAPTIP over rape summon

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is considering legal action against controversial Nigerian entertainer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, after he failed to appear at its headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

NAPTIP summoned Okoye after he claimed to have had sex with a 15-year-old girl during a live Instagram video.

A letter issued by the agency’s Head of Cybercrime Response Team, Ngamaraju Mangzha, and addressed to Okoye on Wednesday, requested that the singer appear at its Abuja headquarters at 9:00 a.m. on Friday.

However, our correspondent who visited the agency’s headquarters on Friday reported that the musician had not shown up at NAPTIP’s Wuse Zone 5 office as of noon.

“As of now, we are still waiting. If we don’t see him, we will take action based on the notice issued. The last paragraph is very clear,” one official who asked to remain anonymous said.

Another official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Okoye had not yet informed NAPTIP of the reasons for his absence.

“We issued a statement summoning him to appear in our office today at 09:00 am. It is evening now, and we are still waiting. Maybe he had a delayed flight. He has not communicated officially with us.

“Immediately he released that viral video, people started tagging us. They tagged the Lagos State Government. They called our Lagos zonal commander to say that they could not establish that the offence was committed in Lagos because they have jurisdiction only within Lagos.

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“They now said they will refer the case to us because we have a national reach. They called our Lagos Commander, who gave them our email address here. So, they escalated the matter,” he stated.

Meanwhile, NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Mr Adekoye Vincent, stated that the Director-General, Binta Bello, was concerned about Speed Darlington’s video.

Speaking on if the agency would apprehend Speed Darlington or hand him over to the police, Adekoye said, “His failure to appear will ensure that we know what to do within the law. It is clear. It may be prosecution or arrest, but whatever it is, we are very concerned.”

On Tuesday, Speed Darlington sparked outrage on social media after claiming to have slept with a 15-year-old virgin on a livestream.

The video rapidly went viral, causing great indignation among viewers and women’s rights organisations, who accused him of confessing to statutory rape.

Within 24 hours, the backlash garnered official notice, as the Lagos State Government reported the incident to NAPTIP, which immediately called the singer for questioning.

The summon letter read, “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, similarly contain admissions and degrading commentary concerning minors. These actions, if substantiated, constitute offences under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

“⁠You are hereby invited to appear in person for an interview as regards the alleged actions on Friday, May 30, 2025, by 9 a.m. at the NAPTIP Headquarters: 2028 Dalaba Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, FCT.

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“Kindly bring along any legal representation or documents you may consider relevant. Please be informed that your cooperation is critical to ensuring a fair and thorough inquiry into the matter.”

However, NAPTIP warned, “Failure to honour this invitation may result in further legal action.”

Isaac Fayose, the brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, also told journalists that the girl in the video planned to make a formal complaint with the police.

Faced with rising criticism, Speed Darlington issued follow-up posts emphasising that the “confession” was a publicity stunt to promote new music, saying bluntly, “I need controversy to eat.”

In another post, he described the video as “a prank”.

However, the about-face did little to appease critics, many of whom believed that joking about child sexual abuse is inherently damaging.

“We are concerned. Our DG is seriously concerned. She’s monitoring the situation by the hour. Why? It’s an issue that borders on a minor, the human rights of the minor, and sexual abuse. Anything could have happened to that girl.

“He was not under duress. It was an admission. Look at what he released yesterday: a video saying that if he had known that this 15-year-old would generate this, he would have gone for a 12-year-old,” Adekoye explained.

Speed Darlington shuns NAPTIP over rape summon

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From Royal Wedding to Courtroom War: Gana’s Son, Wife in Explosive Split

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From Royal Wedding to Courtroom War: Gana’s Son, Wife in Explosive Split

What began as one of Nigeria’s most glamorous society weddings in 2014 has reportedly unraveled into a tense legal showdown, marked by allegations, silence, and an escalating custody dispute.

When James Gana, son of elder statesman and former Minister of Information Jerry Gana, married Akwa Ibom royal figure Jessica Edet, the ceremony drew national attention. Political heavyweights, traditional rulers, and high society figures gathered in Akwa Ibom State to witness what many described as a symbolic union of influence and prestige.

More than a decade later, that image of unity has sharply faded.

Cracks Beneath the Surface

Multiple sources familiar with the situation indicate that the marriage had been under strain for some time before the situation escalated into formal legal action. While details remain closely guarded, insiders suggest that irreconcilable differences may have led to the breakdown.

It is alleged that James Gana filed for divorce, though official court documents have not been made public to confirm this claim.

Custody Battle Emerges

At the center of the dispute is the couple’s son, with both parties reportedly seeking custody. Legal observers note that such battles, especially among high-profile families, often become prolonged and emotionally charged.

Family law practitioners contacted by our correspondent explain that Nigerian courts typically prioritize the welfare of the child, but outcomes can vary depending on circumstances presented during proceedings.

Allegations and Social Media Noise

The case has also been complicated by a wave of unverified claims circulating online, including controversial accusations targeted at Jessica Edet. Terms and insinuations trending on social media have added a layer of public scrutiny, though none of these claims have been substantiated in court.

Observers warn that such narratives, often amplified without evidence, risk distorting public perception and inflaming an already delicate situation.

Silence from Key Parties

Efforts to obtain official statements from both James Gana and Jessica Edet have so far yielded no response. Associates close to the families have also declined to comment, citing the sensitivity of the matter and ongoing legal proceedings.

From Celebration to Litigation

The reported breakdown of the marriage highlights how even the most celebrated unions can face private challenges far removed from public glamour. What was once a widely admired relationship has now become a subject of legal scrutiny and public speculation.

As proceedings continue, attention remains fixed on the courtroom, where the final outcome—particularly regarding custody—will likely define the next chapter of this high-profile separation.

From Royal Wedding to Courtroom War: Gana’s Son, Wife in Explosive Split

 

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Three Feared Dead as Journalists’ Bus Crashes on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway

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An accident scene
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Three Feared Dead as Journalists’ Bus Crashes on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway

At least three persons have been confirmed dead following a tragic motor accident along the notorious Onyeama Hills axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway in Enugu.

The accident involved a black Toyota Sienna bus conveying journalists who were reportedly on an official assignment to Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state. Several occupants of the vehicle sustained injuries of varying degrees.

Among those injured are Chimaroke Ugwu, a reporter with Nigerian Television Authority and Chairman of the NTA Chapel, alongside his cameraman, Jerry. Also affected are Kelechi Ehirim, a reporter with African Independent Television and Secretary of the Private Broadcast Chapel, as well as his cameraman, Ifeanyi Ogbodo.

The identities of the deceased victims were yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps and the police were at the scene carrying out rescue operations and managing traffic to prevent further incidents.

The Onyeama Hills stretch of the expressway has long been regarded as a high-risk corridor due to its steep terrain and frequent record of accidents. Authorities have commenced investigations to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

Further updates are expected as more details emerge.

 

Three Feared Dead as Journalists’ Bus Crashes on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway

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How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers

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How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers

Akure, Ondo State – In a brazen late-night raid, armed men abducted three health workers from a Primary Health Clinic in Ijebu, a suburb of Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The security guard on duty, Olawale Yaya, told TVC News that the attackers executed the operation with alarming precision. According to him, the assailants arrived in a high-end SUV, which he identified as either a Toyota Venza or a Lexus. The vehicle was parked outside the clinic before the abduction.

“They took three staff members. The gunmen parked on the road. They came with an expensive jeep. It looks like a Toyota Venza or Lexus SUV. It’s not a small sedan car. It’s an SUV. It’s not a bus. It’s a high-end SUV. The gunmen even pressed a button to open the boot. After opening it, they forced the three people inside and drove off,” Yaya recounted.

The attackers specifically targeted staff members who were on duty, assaulting them before forcing them into the boot of their vehicle. The guard described the assailants’ familiarity with the vehicle as “disturbing,” noting how they effortlessly operated the automatic boot before making their escape.

Security agencies in the state have been alerted, and investigations are ongoing to locate the kidnapped health workers and apprehend the perpetrators.

 

How Gunmen Storm Akure Clinic, Abduct Three Health Workers

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