Urgent National Importance
In a statement released by Hakeem Lawal, Director of Information and Communications Technology, NAPTIP addressed the public concerns that arose following its initial invitation to Darlington on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, for an interview scheduled for May 30th. Darlington, through social media, cited prior commitments and proposed a new appearance date of June 26, 2025.
However, NAPTIP underscored the gravity of the situation, describing it as "a matter of urgent National importance that requires an urgent response." The agency maintained that the initial invitation provided ample notice for preparation, making a prolonged delay unacceptable given the sensitive nature of the alleged crime.
A Revised Deadline
While stressing the urgency, NAPTIP has made a slight concession to accommodate the artist, granting him until Monday, June 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm to appear in person at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. This revised deadline signifies NAPTIP's resolve to expedite the investigation while offering a minimal window for compliance.
The official statement, posted on NAPTIP's official X platform, reiterated the agency's stance: "The Agency wishes to state that the invitation was sent to you on Wednesday, 28th May, 2025, giving you sufficient time to prepare and appear as indicated. Moreover, the issue at hand is a matter of urgent National importance that requires an urgent response."
The agency concluded by emphasizing the critical need for cooperation: "Please, as stated in our earlier correspondence, your cooperation is very critical in this matter." The public keenly awaits Speed Darlington's response to this revised summons, as the legal implications of his self-admitted actions continue to unfold.