A Federal High Court has reportedly directed the Nigerian Police Force to comply with the order to release controversial rapper, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington.
Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed this development on Monday, January 6, stating that the court issued the order pending the hearing of the substantive matter.
The court further directs Abubakar Marshal, Esq. to stand as surety to Speed Darlington.
“Alternatively, he should be arraigned immediately,” Adeyanju quoted the judge saying.
Recently, Adeyanju expressed outrage over the continued detention of the rapper despite a Federal High Court order in Abuja granting him bail on Monday, December 23.
Naija News reports that Speed Darlington has been held in police custody since November 27, following his re-arrest by Nigerian police in Owerri, Imo State.
His initial arrest in October was reportedly linked to a petition filed by fellow artist Burna Boy.
The Federal High Court’s ruling granted him unconditional bail, stipulating that his legal team only needed to submit the court order to the police legal department for processing.
This order was expected to be forwarded to the Force Investigation Department (FID), where the rapper is currently detained, for compliance.
Despite the legal team’s submission of the necessary documentation, the police have yet to release Speed Darlington, raising concerns about their compliance with judicial directives.