Controversial singer Speed Darlington has requested that his scheduled appearance before the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) be moved to June 26, following public outrage over a viral video in which he claimed to have been intimate with a 15-year-old girl.
The video sparked widespread condemnation, prompting NAPTIP to summon the artist for questioning.
In a statement posted on his Instagram page today, Speed Darlington said his remarks were made “for clout” and were never intended to be taken seriously.
He insisted he is a law-abiding citizen with strong moral values and denied ever engaging in any form of sexual misconduct.
“The video was a joke that got blown out of proportion,” he said, while apologising for any misunderstanding or offense it may have caused.
The statement, addressed to NAPTIP’s Director General, read: “I acknowledge receipt of your letter (captioned as above) and sent to my Instagram handle on 28th May, 2025, inviting me to offer clarifications on certain online videos you alleged contain admissions of sexual acts (if substantiated) and thus constituting offences under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 and Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc Act, 2015.
“As a law-abiding citizen and a man raised by martinet parents under the highest ethical and moral standard, | have never engaged in or contemplated involving myself in any form of sexual predation, sexual violation or any form of untoward act against the other sex.
“As a role model, I am alive to my responsibilities in helping to mould lasting moral valours amongst our young ones and would never deliberately engage in any form of activity that contravenes this noble responsibility.
“For the sake of clarity, I reiterate that the said Instagram video was made for purely entertainment purposes only and does not reflect any previous or future event involving my person with any female; minor or Major. Sadly, what was meant to be a joke has been blown out of proportion by persons looking for fault where none exists. Without conceding to any wrong doing, may I offer my profound apology for any bad blood or misunderstanding my innocuous actions may have caused the online community, but to the discerning, the video was only for clout and entertainment purposes.”
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Speed Darlington has agreed to cooperate with NAPTIP and will appear at their office on June 26 for further clarification.
“If the agency requires further clarifications, I undertake to avail myself at the agency’s office on June 26, 2025″, he added.
