Speed Darlington begs Burna Boy to withdraw charges
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineNigerian singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has appealed to Grammy-winning musician Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, to withdraw the charges against him, offering to stop making comments about his sexuality.
Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video shared on his Instagram page on Thursday, where he apologised for the embarrassment and pain his remarks might have caused the singer.
“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.
The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone reacted to situations in the same way, adding that he wanted to resolve their disagreement.
“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.
He also promised to refrain from making direct or indirect remarks about Burna Boy’s sexuality, stating that he would honour the commitment if the musician withdrew the charges.
“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality.
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“Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.
Speed Darlington further pledged not to mention Burna Boy’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.
“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.
The latest appeal comes amid a prolonged disagreement between the two entertainers, which escalated in October 2024 after Speed Darlington released videos questioning Burna Boy’s Grammy Award victory for his album, Twice as Tall, and making insinuations about his relationship with American music executive Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
Burna Boy subsequently petitioned the police over alleged defamation and cyberstalking, leading to Speed Darlington’s arrest in Lagos on October 4, 2024.
He was later transferred to Abuja, where he was detained before being released on October 9, 2024.
Following the arrest, Speed Darlington’s lawyer, Stan Alieke, issued a statement apologising to Burna Boy, explaining that the controversial videos were intended for entertainment and were not meant to defame or malign the Grammy winner.
Alieke also disclosed that his client had privately contacted Burna Boy and his team to apologise and clarify his comments.
Speed Darlington, however, later distanced himself from the apology, claiming that his lawyer advised him to make it to secure the release of his seized phone.
The disagreement resurfaced in November 2024 when the singer was arrested again while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, criticised the arrest as unnecessary and accused Burna Boy of using the police to oppress his client.
Speed Darlington remained in detention for several weeks, with his legal team raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding his continued custody. He was subsequently arraigned and granted bail in January 2025.
Despite his release, the dispute persisted, with Speed Darlington releasing diss material and making further public comments about Burna Boy.
His latest video appears to be another effort to resolve the disagreement, although he made his promise to stop commenting on the singer conditional on Burna Boy withdrawing the charges.
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