AdminBy Rosemary Ugwu
Controversial rapper, Darlington Okoye, widely known as Speed Darlington, has revealed that he has been arrested 19 times and detained on five separate occasions.
The self-proclaimed “energy god” has had multiple run-ins with law enforcement agents over the years. In late 2024, he was arrested twice—once in October and again in November—after mocking Burna Boy’s association with embattled American music mogul, Sean Combs, popularly called Diddy.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a recent Instagram freestyle, the Bangdadadang hitmaker appeared to take pride in his legal troubles.
“Five lockups, 19 arrests, I get game but I no dey hear. When you hear this one, na Kuje. If you mature, I move on, shame on you,” he rapped.
Meanwhile, Speed Darlington was previously held at Kuje Correctional Facility until his release on 21st January 2025, weeks after securing bail from a Federal High Court in Abuja.
His repeated arrests have fueled discussions online, with fans and critics debating whether his legal troubles are self-inflicted or a result of his controversial persona. Some social media users believe he deliberately courts trouble to remain relevant, while others argue that he is unfairly targeted.
READ ALSO: Burna Boy ‘Troll’ Video Exposed As Old, Speed Darlington’s Claim Debunked
Shortly after his release, the rapper made headlines again after claiming he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while returning from a club in Lagos. According to him, unknown assailants tried to attack his vehicle, but he managed to evade them.
His allegation sparked mixed reactions, with some doubting his claims, while others expressed concern for his safety.
However, the controversy led to an unexpected fallout between Speed Darlington and his lawyer, Stan Alieke, who announced that he and his law firm were cutting ties with the musician.
Alieke’s decision came after weeks of public scrutiny regarding his association with the rapper.
In a statement, the legal expert clarified that he no longer wished to represent Speed Darlington due to undisclosed reasons.
Reacting to this, Speed Darlington dismissed the situation, saying Alieke was free to leave if he no longer wanted to support him. The rapper added that he would continue making music and living life on his own terms, regardless of who remained in his corner.
Ugwu is an intern at Prime Business Africa
