Crime
Court Sets Date To Hear Speed Darlington’s N300m Rights Suit Against IGP
A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 13, 2025, to hear a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by singer Darlington Achakpo, better known as Speed Darlington, against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The court set the date after Speed Darlington’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, requested an adjournment to allow the police lawyer, Garba Audu, time to review and respond to the documents served on him in court.
Justice Musa Liman granted the request, noting the I-G’s lawyer had yet to receive the full process.
RELATED NEWS: Again, Police Arrest Singer Speed Darlington In Owerri
The case stems from a previous ruling on December 23, 2024, in which Justice Liman ordered the I-G to either charge Speed Darlington to court or release him on bail unconditionally within 48 hours.
However, according to the singer’s lawyer, the police have failed to comply, and Speed Darlington remains in detention.
Speed Darlington, 39, was first arrested on October 4, 2024, over allegations of defaming Afrobeat artist Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, through cyberstalking.
He was granted bail on October 8, but later rearrested on November 27 for allegedly violating the terms of his administrative bail.
Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju reported that Speed Darlington was detained in Abuja following a petition from Burna Boy.
The singer’s legal team argues that his detention has been unlawful, citing mistreatment during his time in custody.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, Marshal informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the hearing of the originating motion for enforcement of the singer’s fundamental rights.
Audu, however, stated he had not been served with the application, though the court confirmed that proof of service was on record.
Justice Liman asked if the singer had been released, to which Marshal responded negatively. Audu then clarified that the police had already filed criminal charges against Speed Darlington, which were scheduled for hearing before Justice Ekerete Akpan on January 15, 2025.
He also argued that the police had not flouted the court’s earlier order, citing difficulties in proceeding with the matter due to the Christmas holiday.
Marshal countered by requesting the court to direct the police to release Speed Darlington on bail pending his arraignment.
“We shall be applying pending the trial and arraignment of the applicant that your lordship make an order admitting him to bail,” Marshal said. However, Audu opposed the application.
Justice Liman advised the police lawyer to ensure Speed Darlington’s release, expressing that there was no harm in granting bail. “I don’t see anything the police will lose if granted bail,” the judge remarked.
The singer’s fundamental rights suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, seeks a declaration that his arrest and detention violated his constitutional rights.
He is asking for: “An order for his immediate and unconditional release or to be produced in court to face charges.
“N300 million in damages for his unlawful detention, mistreatment, and the ongoing violation of his rights.
In a supporting affidavit, Speed Darlington’s legal team claimed he was detained for five days without being formally charged and subjected to harsh conditions.
The affidavit also noted that the singer had been re-arrested despite informing the police of a medical emergency and obtaining permission to travel for a performance.
The matter will continue on January 13, 2025, as the court considers the singer’s suit.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano State Zonal Directorate, has arrested popular TikTok influencer Murja Kunya for allegedly abusing the Nigerian currency.
According to a statement released on Monday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Kunya was taken into custody for spraying naira notes for fun during her stay at Tahir Guest Palace, a hotel in Kano State.
Her latest arrest follows a dramatic attempt to evade justice after she allegedly jumped administrative bail earlier granted by the commission.
READ ALSO: Ponzi Alert: EFCC Exposes 58 Fake Investment Companies
Kunya was initially arrested in January 2025 for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, which prohibits the abuse and mutilation of the national currency.
Although she was granted bail pending her arraignment before the Federal High Court in Kano, she failed to appear in court and instead went into hiding.
“After weeks of intensive investigation and surveillance, EFCC operatives successfully re-arrested the TikTok Influencer on Sunday, March 16, 2025,” the statement read.
Kunya is now in custody at the Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, where she is awaiting arraignment.
The commission reiterated its commitment to enforcing laws protecting the integrity of the naira and issued a warning against all forms of naira abuse, including spraying, stamping, or mutilating the currency at social events.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the arraignment of former First Bank of Nigeria Plc chairman, Oba Otudeko, and the bank’s former managing director, Bisi Onasanya, over an alleged ₦12.3 billion fraud.
Justice Aneke, delivering the ruling on Monday, stated that under Nigerian law, a defendant’s plea must be taken before any application or objection can be entertained.
“The issue before the court is whether the processes before the court can be taken before the arraignment of the defendants. Any preliminary objection to the validity of a charge can only be heard after the plea is taken; this is now a condition precedent, and this court is bound by the decision,” the judge ruled.
READ ALSO: Counsel To Otudeko Protests Alleged N12.3bn Fraud Charges
The prosecution had opposed any attempt to delay the arraignment, with counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala insisting that legal proceedings must follow due process.
Following the ruling, Otudeko’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), informed the court that all parties, including the prosecution, had met with the Attorney General of the Federation on March 12 to explore an out-of-court settlement.
He urged the court to allow time for discussions, a request supported by other defense lawyers, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), Yinka Fusika (SAN), and Charles Adeogun-Phillips (SAN).
However, the prosecution maintained that the case should either proceed to arraignment or be adjourned for a settlement report.
After hearing both sides, Justice Aneke adjourned the case to May 8 for an update on the settlement discussions or the formal arraignment of the defendants.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count criminal charge against Otudeko, Onasanya, a former board member of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Soji Akintayo, and a company linked to Otudeko, Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
The EFCC alleged that between 2013 and 2014, the defendants fraudulently obtained ₦12.3 billion from First Bank through multiple transactions, including payments of ₦5.2 billion, ₦6.2 billion, ₦6.15 billion, ₦1.5 billion, and ₦500 million.
A couple, Baba Sule Abubakar Sadiq and Hafsat Kabir Lawal, along with two accomplices, Abdullahi Bala and Ladani Akindele, have been arraigned before Justice Amina Bello of the Kaduna State High Court on charges of fraud, money laundering, and stealing totaling N197,750,000.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the defendants before the court on Monday, March 9, 2025, on a six-count charge.
They are accused of conspiring to defraud victims by impersonating the wife of the Katsina State Governor, Fatima Dikko Radda, and offering fake foreign exchange deals.
According to the EFCC, Hafsat Kabir Lawal allegedly posed as the Katsina First Lady to lure victims into fraudulent currency exchange transactions.
READ ALSO: Tragic End: Abducted Catholic Priest Killed In Kaduna
Using SIM cards registered under the name “Fatima Dikko Radda” on True Caller, she reportedly contacted a bureau de change operator, Aminu Usman, and convinced him to transfer N89 million in exchange for $53,300.
Investigators further revealed that another victim was defrauded of N108 million under a similar scheme involving a supposed exchange of $118,300.
The funds were allegedly deposited into the bank account of the third defendant, Abdullahi Bala, before being laundered and shared among the conspirators.
Hafsat’s husband, Sadiq, is accused of providing the SIM cards used in the fraud. He allegedly enlisted the help of Ladani Akindele, a former bank colleague, to secure the contact details of Unity Bank Chairman Hafiz Bashir. The contact was then used to gain the trust of the victims.
When the charges were read, all four defendants pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel Bright C. Ogbonna requested a trial date and urged the court to remand them in a correctional facility.
Defense counsels, led by M.S. Katu (SAN), argued for bail, stating they had already filed applications.
However, the prosecution opposed the requests, stating that the applications were not yet ready for hearing. When the defense requested an oral bail application, Justice Bello ruled in favor of the prosecution and ordered the defendants to remain in custody.
The case was adjourned to March 17, 2025, for the hearing of bail applications.
The suspects were initially arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) before being handed over to the EFCC when the case was determined to be financial in nature.
The EFCC has vowed to ensure that justice is served in the case, emphasizing the need for vigilance against fraudulent schemes involving high-profile impersonation.
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