Queen, the mother of controversial singer and social media sensation, Darlington Okoye aka Speed Darlington, has appealed to Afrobeats singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, to release her son.
Darlington has been reported missing for three days, sparking widespread concern over his safety and whereabouts.
A video circulating on social media showed an individual sharing a striking resemblance to the singer in handcuffs being led out of his compound by men in mufti, suggesting his arrest.
The footage has raised concerns about Darlington’s whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Darlington’s mother accuses Burna Boy of arresting her son
In an emotion-laden video message, Queen said her son’s gateman informed her that the musician was whisked away by Burna Boy and his team, allegedly accompanied by police.
She said the family became aware of his disappearance after he made a video wherein he taunted the Burna Boy, pleading with the Grammy Award winner to temper justice with mercy.
“I just got this information now that my son Speed Darlington is missing. His gateman called my family and notified them that there was a video Darlington made and put on the internet about Burna Boy. So, he notified my family that Burna Boy came with his team and they picked him up from his house,” she said.
“Please, Darlington is my only son. He is the one and only son I have. I am begging my fellow Nigerians.
“Everyone should help me to beg Burna Boy. My name is Miss Queen. Burna Boy I am begging you. My knee is on the ground. Tamper justice with mercy. Please have mercy on my son. Forgive him, please. Forgive Darlington.
“Nigerians please come to Darlington’s aid. All of his fans should join me to beg Burna Boy. I do not know what else to say other than begging. I am a mother and a grandmother. I am not in Nigeria right now. I know you will listen to me,” Queen added.
Lawyer says Akpi in police custody
Meanwhile, popular activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed that the missing singer is being detained by the Nigerian Police Force in Abuja.
Adeyanju said Darlington, also fondly referred to as Akpi, was arrested in Lagos last Friday and subsequently transferred to Abuja, where he has remained in detention since.
The activist revealed this in a post on his X account on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
He claimed that the arrest was based on a petition against the artiste by Burna Boy.
“We just spent the last 30mins with Speed Darlington and he narrated how he was arrested in Lagos Friday last week, moved around and eventually brought to Abuja and has been in detention since then. Petition against him was written by Burna Boy, we can confirm,” he wrote.
Speed Darlington taunts Burna Boy in the wake of Diddy’s case
Recall the controversial artist had taunted the African Giant over his affiliation with the embattled United States rapper, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who is facing multiple sexual exploitation and human trafficking charges.
In a viral video on social media, Akpi challenged Burna Boy to explain how he got his Grammy award for his album ‘Twice As Tall’ — a project executive produced by Diddy.
He insinuated that there was a sexual relationship between the duo.
“It wasn’t long after Burna Boy posted a photo of him and Diddy that he won a Grammy Award. Burna Boy, don’t be offended, but how many oils did Diddy use on you before they gave you the Grammy Award?” Darlington had asked.Some netizens also claimed that Burna Boy may be involved in his colleague’s disappearance due to his cryptic post on social reading, ”Who is missing.”
