- Safiu Kehinde
Legal Counsel to Nigerian music artist, Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has explained reason behind the re-arrest of the artist in Owerri.
As contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Stan Aleike and Law Capitol legal firm, Speed Darlington was rearrested for allegedly jumping bail.
NPO earlier reported that the music artist was picked up the police after a performance in Owerri, Imo state.
His legal counsel, in the statement, explained that Darlington, who was granted bail on the 8th of October 2024 following his initial arrest over troll with Burna Boy, was given a date to report back.
He, however, failed to report at the scheduled date which his legal counsel claimed was due to a medical emergency.
Condemning his re-arrest, the firm explained that he intended to report to Abuja after the performance at Owerri, stressing that he never intended to jump bail.
The statement read; “We act as counsel and solicitors to Mr. Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as ‘Speed Darlington’, hereinafter referred to as our client on whose behalf we write.
“Following our client’s performance in Owerri, our client was picked up by the police on allegations that he jumped bail. We are informed that this action was purportedly on the orders Of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau.
“It is important to set the record straight, that on the 8th of October 2024, our client was granted administrative bail after being illegally detained for five days upon being shipped from Lagos in connection with the Burna Boy’s incident.
“He was given a date to report back but was unable to do so due to a medical emergency that required him to travel abroad for treatment.
“In good faith, our client had arranged to return to Abuja after his performance at Owerri, in consultation with his lawyer and in liaison with police officers. It was never his intention to jump bail.
“We find this action by the police to be not only unnecessary but a clear attempt to embarrass and trample on the rights of our client. Such conduct is both unwarranted and a misuse of police authority.”