Stan Alieke, the counsel to controversial Nigerian singer, Speed Darlington, has said the musician was re-arrested in Owerri, Imo state, last night over allegations of jumping bail.
Naturenex recalls that Darlington was arrested in October over a petition filed against him by his colleague, Burna Boy.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Alieke said the singer was granted administrative bail on October after being illegally detained for five days in connection with the Burna Boy’s incident.
Alieke said his client was given a date to report back but was unable to do so due to a medical emergency that required him to travel abroad for treatment.
The lawyer stated that Darlington had no intention to jump bail, stressing he had arranged to return to Abuja after his performance at Owerri.
The statement reads, “Following our client’s performance in Owerri, our client was picked up by the police on allegations that he jumped bail. We are informed that this action was purportedly on the orders of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau.
“It is important to set the record straight, that on the 8th of October, 2024, our client was granted administrative bail after being illegally detained for five days upon being shipped from Lagos in connection with the Burna Boy’s incident. He was given a date to report back but was unable to do so due to a medical emergency that required him to travel abroad for treatment.
“In good faith, our client had arranged to return to Abuja after his performance at Owerri, in consultation with his lawyer and in liaison with police officers. It was never his intention to jump bail.
“We find this action by the police to be not only unnecessary but a clear attempt to embarrass and trample on the rights of our client. Such conduct is both unwarranted and a misuse of police authority.”
