A Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria, granted bail to acclaimed singer Speed Darlington, facing charges of cybercrime related to online messages directed at fellow musician Burna Boy. The court set specific conditions for his release, including a Level 10 civil servant as surety, verification of the surety's credentials, and submission of Speed Darlington's passport.
A Federal High Court in Abuja , Nigeria , granted bail to the detained singer, Darlington Achakpo, widely known as Speed Darlington . Judge Ekerete Akpan issued the ruling on Wednesday, December 6, 2024, in response to Speed Darlington 's bail application presented by his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar. The singer pleaded not guilty to two counts of cybercrime.
Judge Akpan stipulated that the surety must be at least a Level 10 civil servant either within the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) or any other federal establishment. He further mandated that the surety's address be verified by the court registrar. Additionally, the judge required the surety to deposit their letters of appointment and last promotion, subject to verification by the deputy chief registrar of the court. Speed Darlington was also ordered to submit his passport. Both he and his surety must provide two recent passport photographs to the court registrar. The Inspector-General of Police filed the amended case, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/556/2024, charging Speed Darlington with cybercrime offenses. The police alleged in count one that he transmitted a message through his Instagram handle, @20takeoffs, in a viral video, implying Burna Boy received undue favor for his Grammy Award. The count stated that this publication, deemed false and intended to cause annoyance, insult, injury, enmity, or hatred among Burna Boy's fans, posed inconvenience, danger, needless anxiety to his life, and damage to his name and integrity. This action allegedly violated Section 24(1)(a&(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 (as amended). In count two, Speed Darlington was accused of posting a message on his Instagram handle, @20takeoffs, and other pages, intimidating, bullying, threatening, or harassing Burna Boy. The prosecution argued that this message placed Burna Boy in fear of death, reasonable apprehension of violence, or bodily harm, violating Section 24 (2) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 (as amended). The defense lawyer, Mr. Abubakar, requested bail for his client on liberal terms. The prosecution lawyer, Garba Audu, informed the court that the amended counts were filed on December 5, 2024, and indicated his intention to request a trial date to present their witnesses.
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