The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has issued a stern warning to controversial Nigerian entertainer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, urging him to honour its invitation over a disturbing viral video.

The agency is investigating a statement made by the singer earlier this week, in which he claimed to have slept with a 15-year-old virgin, sparking outrage across social media platforms.

In a letter signed by the Head of the Cybercrime Response Team, Ngamaraju Mangzha, and dated Wednesday, Speed Darlington was directed to appear at NAPTIP’s headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, at 9:00 am on Friday, May 31, 2025, for questioning.

Despite the formal summons, NAPTIP said it would not hesitate to escalate the matter should the artist fail to comply.

“Mr. Darlington Okoye (AKA Speed Darlington) is urged to respond to the official invitation issued on May 28, 2025, regarding a viral video and others in which he admitted to sexually abusing a minor.”

“Failure to respond may lead to further action,” the agency posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, sharing a copy of the summons letter.

As at the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether the invitation had been formally served or received by the entertainer.

Speed Darlington, however, responded indirectly through a post on his X account, insisting on his innocence.

“Being against me does not change the fact that I’m innocent,” he wrote on May 29, 2025.

In a video released afterward, he pushed back at critics and questioned the intensity of the backlash he’s receiving, especially from the southern part of Nigeria.

“If I knew 15 would get me this much attention, I for say 12 make una head catch fire. Na because I dey Southern Nigeria, would you come at me like this if we were in Sokoto?” he said in a visibly agitated tone.

Following the criticism, the entertainer also claimed the controversial statement was a joke and a deliberate attempt to stir controversy.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate activation of the National Emergency Response Centre in the wake of the catastrophic flooding in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, which has claimed more than 100 lives and displaced scores of residents.

The directive was issued early Saturday following distress reports on the disaster’s severity.

According to local accounts, at least 75 victims have already been buried, while over 100 others remain unaccounted for as search-and-rescue operations continue.

Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @officialABAT, the President conveyed deep sorrow and pledged immediate federal intervention to support the affected population.

“Upon receiving initial reports, I immediately directed the activation of the National Emergency Response Centre.”

“I have also been briefed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the scale of the disaster and the urgent humanitarian needs,” the President stated.

President Tinubu confirmed that relief materials and temporary shelters are being dispatched to the flood-hit areas without delay.

He added that federal agencies, including NEMA, have been mobilised in collaboration with the Niger State Government to step up rescue efforts and deliver life-saving aid.

“Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilised to support the state government’s efforts.”

“We will ensure that no Nigerian affected by this disaster is left behind or unheard of,” Tinubu affirmed.

In his directive, the President also tasked security agencies with assisting emergency teams, reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting lives and restoring the dignity of those affected.

“I assure all those impacted that your government stands with you.”

“We will continue to coordinate with the Niger State Government to ensure a swift, coordinated, and compassionate response, one that prioritises lives, restores dignity and accelerates recovery,” he said.

Extending heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved and displaced, Tinubu emphasized that the grief of Niger State is shared by the entire country.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the good people of Niger State at this difficult time.”

“In times of adversity, we draw strength from our unity, resilience, and shared humanity,” he stated.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to keep the victims in their thoughts and prayers, stressing the importance of national solidarity in the face of such tragedies.

Emergency officials and humanitarian agencies remain on ground as assessments continue, with urgent efforts underway to locate missing persons and deliver further aid to those most in need.

Governor Kefas Agbu of Taraba State has clarified the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of his sister, Atsi Kefas, who was widely believed to have been killed by bandits along the Wukari-Chinkai Road in 2024.

Speaking to journalists in Jalingo, the state capital, the governor made a startling revelation: a police escort, not kidnappers, was responsible for her death.

“My younger sister was shot and killed by a police escort who was inside the same bus with her,” the governor stated solemnly.

Previously, public belief in Taraba had pointed to an attempted kidnap of members of the governor’s family during a trip from Jalingo to Abuja.

However, recent investigations tell a different story.

Governor Kefas explained that findings from an official investigation uncovered that his sister was shot at close range by one of the police escorts attached to his mother.

“Investigation revealed that my sister Atsi was shot at a close range. The policeman is still under investigation so that justice should prevail,” he said.

He further disclosed that pellets of gunfire were found lodged in her body during a medical operation, confirming suspicions of a firearm-related death.

During the press briefing, the governor also used the moment to call for unity and reflection.

He led a minute of silence in memory of his sister and over 50 people recently killed in an attack on Karim-Lamido Local Government Area.

“Life is very precious to me. You can’t just end someone’s life and think God will be happy with you,” he said passionately.

Condemning the senseless loss of lives in the state, Governor Kefas emphasized the importance of peace and coexistence.

He expressed deep regret that communities who should be working together for development have instead resorted to conflict and violence.

To address the persistent unrest in areas like Karim-Lamido, the governor announced plans to set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the root causes of the crisis and recommend pathways to sustainable peace.

“A commission of enquiry would soon be set up to look into the causes of Karim-Lamido crisis to bring lasting peace to the affected area,” he added.

As at the time of filing this report, the Taraba State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement in response to the governor’s claims.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 30, 2025, as the date to hear a suit filed by former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, contesting the forfeiture of her assets to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During the most recent proceedings, Alison-Madueke was represented by Mr. Godwin Iyinbor, from the legal chambers of Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN.

However, the EFCC was absent from the hearing, with no legal representation in court.

Iyinbor reminded the court that Justice Inyang Ekwo, who initially presided over the matter, had warned at the last sitting that “any party who prevented the definite hearing of the matter on the next adjourn date would pay cost.”

However, Justice Musa Umar, now handling the case, clarified that he did not make that ruling and decided to allow the EFCC another opportunity to be present.

He directed that hearing notices be reissued and subsequently adjourned the case to June 30 for hearing.

The case, registered as FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, began in 2023.

In her application, Alison-Madueke is seeking an extension of time to apply for an order setting aside the EFCC’s public notice for the sale of her seized properties.

She contended that the forfeiture orders were issued “without jurisdiction” and argued that her right to fair hearing had been violated in the legal proceedings that resulted in the asset seizure.

“She held that she was denied fair hearing in the proceedings that led to the forfeiture orders.”

Alison-Madueke is asking the court to grant five reliefs, including nullifying the EFCC’s public notice regarding the property sale.

She insists that the various forfeiture rulings breached her constitutional protections.

“She contended that the various court orders issued in favour of the EFCC violated her constitutional right to fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.”

She also claims she was never served with the charge sheet, proof of evidence, or summons related to the case and accuses the EFCC of manipulating the process.

“She claimed that the court had been misled into granting the forfeiture order due to the suppression or non-disclosure of critical information.”

In response, the EFCC has urged the court to dismiss her motion, maintaining that due process was followed.

“The anti-graft agency held that the application for final forfeiture of her assets had been properly instituted and conducted following all legal requirements.”

The EFCC also asserted that the properties in question had already been lawfully disposed of based on a 2017 court order, which remains valid and unchallenged.

“It said that the properties had been duly disposed of following the court’s order, which had been made in 2017 and which had not been overturned on appeal.”