Prominent human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has condemned Nigerian singer Burna Boy for his alleged involvement in the police harassment of Speed Darlington, also known as Akpi.
Adeyanju’s statement follows the recent arrest of Speed Darlington in Owerri, which the lawyer claims is connected to a petition filed by Burna Boy against the artist.
Adeyanju criticized Burna Boy’s actions, arguing that they undermine freedom of speech and contradict the Grammy-winning artist’s public stance against oppression.
The lawyer wrote, “Burna Boy behind harassment of Speed Darlington by the police. This is someone who has been singing against oppression and forming junior Fela now oppressing Akpi.”
Adeyanju had confirmed Speed Darlington’s arrest in a statement posted on his official Facebook page earlier.
Adeyanju wrote, “Our client Speed Darlington a.k.a AKPI has been arrested by the Nigerian police in Owerri at his show upon return to Nigeria.”
He added that Darlington’s arrest occurred during his return to Nigeria for a show.
However, the reasons for the Darlington arrest remained unclear.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters recently reported that the Nigerian police detained Darlington over alleged cyberstalking of Burna Boy.
SaharaReporters had reported that Speed Darlington was arrested and detained at the notorious centre of the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team in the Guzape area of Abuja.
The musician was then visited by Adeyanju who also told reporters that he had seen a petition written against Darlington by afrobeat musician, Burna Boy.
Darlington had been arrested in Lagos and tossed around many police formations in Lagos before he was taken to detention in Abuja by the IRT team who accused him of cyberstalking Burna Boy.
Adeyanju had noted that there was nothing to the petition to warrant Darlington’s arrest.
“I have met Speed Darlington” and he’s in good spirits, we are working to get him released on bail as soon as possible,” Adeyanju had added.
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