Nigerian singer and internet personality Darlington Okoye has accused the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) of plotting to use his brand to boost social media clout.
In a recent video released on his social media page on Monday, Okoye, a.k.a Speed Darlington, advised NAPTIP to be ready to pay him an appearance fee of N2.5 million before he can honour the agency’s invitation.
NAPTIP had in a recent notice declared Speed Darlington wanted for suspected cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and sexual abuse of a yet-to-be-identified minor.
The singer had, in a previous post, claimed to have had carnal knowledge of a 15-year-old girl who came to visit him. The claim went viral, attracting unusual social media attention.
Following his claim, NAPTIP invited the singer for questioning and further investigation, but he failed to honour the agency’s invitation.
The singer further announced in an earlier video that his claim was aimed at making waves online.
According to him, controversy is what keeps him in the business of entertainment.
Reacting to the notice by NAPTIP, which further declared him wanted, Speed Darlington described the agency’s action as baseless.
He said, “I’m not coming. You hear me? I’m not coming. I have not committed any crime. All I did was speak.
“Where is your evidence? Who is the complainant? You want to use me to collect social media clout? Hey, look at us. We are doing our job. We summoned a celebrity and he came,” Speed Darlington said in the new video.
He further stated that if NAPTIP is desirous of having his presence in its office, the agency would have to pay him his appearance fee.
“2.5 million is what I charge for my appearance. You want to pay me 2.5 million plus? Round-trip tickets for me and my PA to come. Because I call that appearance.
“There is no crime. All I did was try to claim it. You have no evidence. You have nothing. So me coming here is a waste of my time,” he said.
He equally warned the agency to remove his name from their wanted list or face court action.
“Remove my name from the wanted list, else I will sue you for defamation of character. You have no evidence,” he added.