Weeks after Nigerian singer Speed Darlington was arrested and detained, his legal representative has suggested that influential individuals may be involved in prolonging his detention.
Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer representing Darlington, had previously accused Afrobeats star Burna Boy of being linked to the rapper’s arrest, though no official confirmation has been made. Speaking with The Cable on Darlington’s arrest, he stressed that the police had denied him the opportunity to pay bail.
“The reason Speed Darlington has not been released is because police do not want to grant him administrative bail. We asked them for their reason, and they said he jumped bail the first time,” he said.
“It is not a secret that a lot of high powers are interested in the matter. And we are making arrangements to seek a court bail at least. The dates that were given to us for him to be arraigned in court were the 14th and 15th of January next year,” he added.
Adeyanju stated that despite the challenges, the legal team remains determined to ensure the rapper does not spend the holiday season in custody.
“Court claiming that they have scheduled for the year. We even tried to arraign and bring him to court last week Thursday. The law says they cannot hear us if the matter is not on the court list.”
“He is not spending Christmas and New Year in detention. We have been doing all we can. We are moving a motion. We will be in court again tomorrow,” he said.
Adeyanju highlighted their next steps, stressing their intentions to make sure the singer makes bail.
He said, “We will apply ex-parte. Hopefully, after tomorrow he will probably be granted bail. What is causing the delay is that there is no proper schedule to get a closer date. Once he is arraigned in court, why not? We would meet the bail. No judge would not want to grant him bail, because he has been in detention for the past four weeks for a mere civil action.”
“It is just to get a proper scheduling of the court. The reason he is not granted administrative bail is something that is beyond my comprehension. It is obvious that some high-profile persons are involved in this matter,” he concluded.
