“Why Akpi Will Never Beg Burna Boy” – Speed Darlington’s Lawyer, Stan Alieke [Video]

Stanley Alieke, the lawyer representing Nigerian rapper Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has clarified his client’s stance in the defamation case involving fellow artist Burna Boy.

KanyiDaily recalls that Speed Darlington was arrested and detained after accusing Burna Boy of having a sexual relationship with American rapper and music executive, Diddy.

Following his release on bail, the rapper’s trial is set to continue on March 18 at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In an interview with BBC Pidgin, Speed Darlington’s lawyer stated that his client has no intention of apologizing to Burna Boy.

He said, “Speed Darlington will never beg Burna Boy, and as his counsel, we will never support him because of all he has suffered. He won’t even agree if I advise him to beg Burna Boy.

“I cannot even advise him to do so because the matter is already in court. Whether he begs or not, it is now within the court’s jurisdiction to determine if what Speed Darlington said defamed Burna Boy.

“If he begs, it would mean he has pleaded guilty because Burna Boy’s petition against him claims that what he said damaged his international reputation and caused him to lose endorsements.

“Why didn’t Burna Boy initiate a civil action in court instead? The court could have equated any damages to financial compensation.”

Stanley Alieke also highlighted the financial losses Speed Darlington suffered due to his detention, explaining that his legal team has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for a violation of his fundamental rights.

The rapper has demanded N300 million in a lawsuit filed against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, the case was postponed to January 27 after the IGP’s lawyer requested more time to review new evidence.

The lawyer further explained, “No amount they give him can equal the hardship he has suffered. They made him miss December and January shows—about 20 events he was invited to.

“We will present these issues to the court, as some of the show organisers had already paid him. After his release, people started sending him messages demanding refunds of their money, like N5 million, N2 million, etc.

“These are the issues we will address before even discussing the infringement of his human rights. Even if we increase the claim to N1 billion, Speed Darlington is a person of international standard, and they subjected him to unnecessary suffering.”

He also alleged that Speed Darlington was held in a detention facility for awaiting trial inmates, including Boko Haram suspects and other criminals, rather than being granted administrative bail.

The lawyer added, “Some people were saying that it serves him right because he talks carelessly, but no matter what, that does not mean the police should keep him for that number of days or subject him to such hardship.

“They kept him in an Abattoir at the SARS office in Abuja, where Boko Haram members, Fulani herdsmen, and other criminals awaiting trial are held, just because they wanted to break him.”

Watch the video below:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BBC News Pidgin (@bbcnewspidgin)

KanyiDaily recalls that following his release from prison, Speed Darlington vowed to fight back against Burna Boy.