The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has failed to comply with the court order mandating him to release the detained singer, Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, in a controversial lawsuit.

His lawyers at Femi Falana Chambers told The Gazette Mr Darlington was still in custody as of Wednesday evening.

On Monday, Justice Musa Liman of a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of the singer while ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by Achakpo’s counsel, David Ihuoma.

Mr Liman ordered the IGP to either charge Mr Darlington to court or release him unconditionally within 48 hours, adjourning the hearing till January 6, 2025.

However, more than 48 hours after the court order, no information has been made by the police regarding Mr Darlington’s release, highlighting a violation of court order.

Mr Darlington was apprehended in Lagos in October, following a petition filed by Damini Ogulu, popularly called Burna Boy, over allegations bordering on defamation and cyberstalking.

Although Mr Darlington was released on bail on October 8, he was rearrested and transferred to Abuja in November. 

Meanwhile, Mr Darlington’s team of lawyers led by Deji Adeyanju, in an ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024 and filed on December 13, alleged Mr Darlington was unlawfully detained.

The applicant sought “an order directing the release of the applicant from the detention facility of the Force Intelligence Bureau at the Force Headquarters or any other facility where he is being kept by the respondent, pending the determination of the substantive originating motion on notice.”

He also wanted the court “to admit him to bail on liberal terms pending the determination of the substantive originating motion on notice.”