Controversial rapper Speed Darlington has taken legal action against the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), demanding N3 billion in damages for what he calls a breach of his fundamental human rights.
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, follows NAPTIP’s June 27 declaration of Darlington as a wanted person over serious allegations including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. The agency claimed he failed to appear for questioning after publicly stating that he had relations with a 15-year-old. However, Darlington later insisted the story was fictional.
In his court filing, Darlington argues that NAPTIP had no legal basis to declare him wanted without first securing a court order. He claims the agency’s action violated his constitutional rights to personal freedom, privacy, movement, and protection from degrading treatment.
The rapper is demanding N1 billion in general damages and N2 billion in punitive damages, with an additional 5% monthly interest on the total sum until it is fully paid. He is also seeking a court-ordered public apology from the agency and a permanent injunction to prevent NAPTIP or its partners from taking further action based on the initial declaration.