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Speed Darlington drags IGP Egbetokun to court, demands N300m damages

Speed Darlington (Darlington Achakpo), a detained Nigerian singer, has taken the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to court for alleged unlawful detention.

He filed the lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court has fixed January 13 for the hearing of the fundamental rights enforcement suit.

Justice Musa Liman fixed the date after counsel for the singer, Abubakar Marshal, sought an adjournment to enable the I-G’s lawyer, Garba Audu, study and to respond accordingly to the processes served on him in the open court.

Justice Liman had, on Dec. 23, 2024, ordered the I-G to charge Speed Darlington to court or release him on bail unconditionally within 48 hours.

The judge made the order in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by lawyer who appeared for Darlington, David Ihuoma, and adjourned the matter until Jan. 6 for the hearing of the substantive case .

Speed Darlington, 39, was allegedly arrested by the police over allegations of “defamation and cyberstalking” of the ace award-winning artiste, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy but was released on bail on Oct. 8, 2024.

A lawyer and human right activist, Deji Adeyanju alleged that Speed Darlington was apprehended in Lagos State following a petition by Burna Boy, and was moved to Abuja where he had been in detention.

Upon resumed hearing in the matter on Monday, Marshal informed the court that the matter was scheduled for hearing of the originating motion on notice for the enforcement of Achakpo’s fundamental rights.

Although Audu said he was yet to be served with the process, the court however confirmed through the proof of service in the court record that the police were duly served.

The judge thereafter directed Marshal to avail Audu with a copy of the application in the open court.

Justice Liman then asked Marshal if the singer had been released but the lawyer responded in the negative.

Responding, Audu explained to the court that the I-G had already filed a criminal charge against Speed Darlington before the singer filed the motion ex-parte for his release.

He said the singer was admitted to administrative bail but allegedly jumped the bail.

The police lawyer said that the charge, which was filed before Justice Ekerete Akpan of Court 13, came up earlier in December 2024, but could not be heard.

He said an application was also written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the reassignment of the criminal matter to a vacation judge so that the defendant can be arraigned but all to no avail.

He explained that the criminal matter was now fixed for Jan. 15 for Speed Darlington’s arraignment before Justice Akpan.

The lawyer further explained that contrary to insinuation, the police did not flout the order of the court as it would have been difficult to arraign the defendant at the time the order was made going by the Christmas holiday.

Marshal, therefore, prayed the court to direct the police to release the singer to him pending when he would be arraigned.

“We shall be applying pending the trial and arraignment of the applicant that your lordship make an order admitting him to bail.
“If my lord will, as ministers in the temple of justice, we will ensure his presence in court on the day of arraignment,” he said, but Audu opposed the application.

Justice Liman, who agreed that the police were not in deliberate disobedience to the court order, advised Audu to ensure Speed Darlington is released to Marshal, having undertook to produce him in court.

“I don’t see anything the police will lose if granted bail,” the judge advised.

He subsequently adjourned the matter until Jan. 13 for hearing of the substantive matter.

In the fundamental right suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, Speed Darlington sued I-G as sole respondent.

The artiste, who urged the court to declare that his arrest and detention violated his fundamental rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, sought four orders.

In the suit filed by Adeyanju, he sought an order directing the I-G to immediately and unconditionally release him from detention facility where he is being kept.

Alternatively, he sought an order mandating and compelling the I-G to produce him before the court to enable the court inquire into the circumstances constituting grounds of his arrest and detention and where it deems fit, admits him to bail.

He also sought “an order directing the respondent to pay the applicant the sum of N300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) only as general, exemplary and aggravating damages for their unlawful and continued detention since the 2024 till date.”

In the affidavit deposed to by Esther Eyisi, a secretary in the law firm, she alleged that Speed Darlington was first arrested on Oct. 4, 2024 for allegedly defaming Burna Boy.

She said he was illegally detained for five days and subjected to severe torture and maltreatment without being formally charged to a court of competent jurisdiction.

Eyisi averred that the artiste was eventually granted bail by the police after spending five days under inhumane conditions.

According to her, on Nov. 27, 2024, the applicant was arrested and detained by officers of respondent on the grounds that he allegedly jumped administrative bail.

This, she said, is in spite of notification from her client about his medical emergency and his inability to report on the scheduled date and obtaining the permission of the officers of the respondent to travel to Owerri, Imo for a performance.

She said the continuous detention of Speed Darlington without arraignment contravened his constitutional rights, describing him as the “breadwinner in his family.”

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Entertainment

Tuface Idibia flaunts his new woman Edo lawmaker, Natasha on IG

Nigerian music icon, Tuface Idibia has taken to his Instagram page to flaunt his new lover and Edo lawmaker, Natasha Osawaru after confirming

their relationship amid his ongoing divorce from his estranged wife, Annie Idibia.

In a since-deleted post, the singer shared a stunning image of the Edo lawmaker on his official Instagram page and asked Nigerians to help beg her to marry him.

He wrote: ‘Now this is my world. Make una help me beg am to marry me.

This comes shortly after the singer dismissed widespread claims linking Natasha to the breakdown of his marriage, stating, “I have seen so many things, so many people coming up with their own false and malicious nonsense after I posted what I posted.”

He then went on to describe Natasha as a “beautiful, smart, and amazing young woman” whom he loves and intends to marry. However, he clarified that she played no role in the dissolution of his marriage with Annie.(LIB)

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Police must investigate TikToker, Seaking for calling Pastor Adeboye ‘Stupid Boy’ – RCCG

The Redeemed Christian Church of God has stated that due process must be followed in the ongoing investigation by the police into a viral video of an online content creator, Olumide Ogunsanwo, calling its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, names.

The content creator had, in a viral video on TikTok, branded Pastor Adeboye as “very stupid and foolish” for subjecting his congregation to a 100-day fast.

Following a petition filed by a group under the aegis of the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, Ogunsanwo was arrested by officials of the Nigeria Police in Lagos and moved to the Federal Investigation Department (FID) in Abuja under DIG Dasuki Galandanchi.

Meanwhile, Pastor Adeboye had publicly called for the release of Seaking, stating that the TikToker was merely fulfilling part of prophecies.

However, the Church, in a statement by its Public Relations Unit on Monday, said the police must go ahead with its investigation.

The statement reads below: “There has been a video in circulation calling for the release of Olumide Ogunsanwo (Seaking303) by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. However, it is important to note that the earlier videos containing potentially defamatory statements had not been thoroughly examined. Upon careful review of the concerns raised regarding certain statements and allegations, it has become necessary to allow the law to take its course.

“It is important to properly understand Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye’s statement during the Holy Ghost Service Night on Saturday regarding Olumide Ogunsanwo (Seaking303). The Church does not intend to interfere with the ongoing police investigation, especially as there is an official complaint filed by the Concerned Christian Youth Forum against Olumide Ogunsanwo John (Seaking303) and others on behalf of the Fathers of Faith, including Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.

“Therefore, we trust that the relevant authorities will carry out their investigations professionally and reach a just conclusion based on the law. While Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye maintains a heart of love and reconciliation, due process must be followed.

“We also caution against cyberbullying and inappropriate commentary regarding Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, and the body of Christ at large.

“Furthermore, the Church encourages respectful discourse and will continue to promote a culture of honor while discouraging defamatory and disrespectful statements.

“Respect for spiritual leaders is a deeply held value in our faith and culture.
We encourage all to engage in constructive and respectful discussions, honoring those who have labored in the faith.”

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Ogun Govt warns Portable against assault on officials

The Ogun State Government has condemned the “rascality” of hip-hop artiste Habeeb Okikiola, known as Portable, for his behaviour towards officials of the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority, OGPDPA, at his bar in Iyana Ilogbo, Ota.

Portable, who is currently at large, allegedly unlawfully restricted, obstructed, and assaulted town planners Ramon Lateef, Akinpelumi Oyero, and Abidemi Onabanjo while they were performing their duties.

Nine of his associates―Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19; Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; Gospel Kanu, 20; Nurudeen Warris, 21; Adetola Alashe, 25; Fatimo Muhammed, 26; Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27; and Samuel Adeleke, 28―were arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for allegedly assaulting the officials. They face charges including armed violence, felony, obstruction, assault, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill. Bail was set at N5 million each.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described Portable as a “serial dissident and unrepentant rascal” who habitually assaults government officials without provocation.

Akinmade said the “indecent act” would be addressed according to the law. He added that Portable’s actions are becoming “shameful and intolerable” to locals and the government, given the “chaos and fear” he incites.

He emphasised the Abiodun administration’s commitment to ridding the state of illegal activities and establishing morality.

“We are profoundly taken aback by the unpleasant and uncivil act of the hip-hop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, on Wednesday, in the Iyana-Ilogbo area of the State where his bar is located,” the statement said.

“The way in which Portable and some miscreants he employed in the dastardly act attacked the officials of the OGPDPA is not only bizarre but a confirmation of the erosion of Omoluabi ethos in those individuals and indeed a great disgrace to the state.

“Governor Dapo Abiodun totally condemned this primitive and indecent act and reiterated his avowed commitment to a just and egalitarian society as he is ready to make any individual flouting the extant law of the land face the full wrath of the law irrespective of social status and influence,” the statement concluded.

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