Speed Darlington’s N300m suit against IGP set for hearing on Jan 13
By Tosin Brown
A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 13, 2025, for the hearing of a ₦300 million lawsuit filed by Speed Darlington against Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
According to reports, Justice Musa Liman set the date after Abubakar Marshal, counsel for the singer, sought an adjournment to allow Garba Audu, the IGP’s lawyer, sufficient time to study and respond to the court processes served on him.
During Monday’s court session, Marshal informed the judge that the case was scheduled for the hearing of the originating motion on notice concerning the enforcement of Darlington’s fundamental rights.
Although Audu claimed he had not yet been served with the process, the court confirmed, through its records, that the police had been duly served.
Darlington filed the lawsuit against Egbetokun as the sole respondent, urging the court to declare his arrest and detention a violation of his fundamental rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
In the suit filed by Marshal, Darlington requested an order compelling the IGP to immediately and unconditionally release him from detention. He also sought an order mandating Egbetokun to produce him before the court to provide clarity on the circumstances of his arrest and detention.
In addition, he requested that the court, if it deemed fit, admit him to bail.
The suit also demanded “an order directing the respondent to pay the applicant the sum of ₦300,000,000.00 as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages for his unlawful and continued detention since 2024 to date.”
Darlington was arrested on November 27, 2024, while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State. He was accused of cyberstalking Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
