I’ve Exhausted All My Connections’ – Lawyer Gives Update On Speed Darlington

Stan Alieke, the lawyer for embattled Nigerian artist Speed Darlington, has accused the police of breaching the court order by refusing to release his client.
More than two days ago, the Federal High Court granted bail to the controversial musician.

Speed Darlington, who was detained on November 27 on charges of cyberstalking Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy, has spent a month in police custody.

Although the Federal High Court granted him release on Monday, his legal team and supporters have criticised his continuing imprisonment.

In an Instagram post on Thursday, Alieke stated that he had exhausted his Abuja connections and that no one wanted to become involved in Speed Darlington’s case because of his previous activities.

Alieke expressed her anger with the police’s contempt for the court’s order to either release or arraign Speed Darlington within 48 hours.

He stated, “We went to court and did all a lawyer would do to get his client out. I’ve even exhausted my connections. I contacted my political colleagues in Abuja. I’ve reached out to everyone. I’m curious why people are avoiding getting engaged in this situation and saying, ‘Look, Akpi (Speed Darlington) insulted us previously; Akpi did this before.’ It is gibberish. Everyone is saying he got what he deserved, so what?

Imagine your brother has been in custody for more than a month for supposedly insulting someone, and others are rejoicing, jubilating, and saying, ‘Okay, Akpi talks anyhow.’ Someone even told me not to get involved when Akpi insulted me. But I’ve known Akpi for almost five years, and I’m his lawyer. I know him better than the folks who are discussing online.

“I don’t understand why the police are refusing to follow the court order and release that guy (Speed Darlington). The court decided on Monday that the police must release or arraign him within the next 48 hours. Okay, we didn’t count yesterday because they declared it was a Christmas holiday, and thus a public holiday.

So it should not be counted. Today, we counted Tuesday but did not include Wednesday. Today (Thursday) completes 48 working hours. Nonetheless, the police refuse to grant him bail or comply with the court order—whether to grant him bail or to arraign him in court. Now he’s spent Christmas there.”