Lawyer addresses fears of Speed Darlington spending Christmas in prison

Stan Alieke, the legal representative of Speed Darlington, has opened up about the singer’s prolonged detention by the police.

Last month, Darlington was arrested while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo state.

Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer, had alleged that Burna Boy, the Afrofusion star, was responsible for the rapper’s arrest.

Alieke earlier revealed that weeks after Darlington’s arrest, the police had denied him access to bail.

The lawyer also called on the law enforcement agency police not to “trample on my client’s constitutional rights”.

There have been concerns in the past days that the rapper might spend the festive period in prison.

Speaking with TheCable Lifestyle on Thursday, Alieke said the police claimed Darlington jumped bail the first time, which is why they are refusing to grant him administrative bail.

The lawyer also alleged that “high powers” are involved in the matter. He argued that Darlington’s detention is “unfair”.

“The reason Speed Darlington has not been released is because police do not want to grant him administrative bail. We asked them for their reason and they said he jumped bail the first time,” he said.

“It is not a secret that a lot of high powers are interested in the matter. And we are making arrangements to seek a court bail at least. The dates that were given to us for him to be arraigned in court were the 14th and 15th of January next year.

“Court claiming that they have scheduled for the year. We even tried to arraign and bring him to court last week Thursday. The law says they cannot hear us if the matter is not on the court list.

Alieke revealed that they have filed a bail application, which will be heard in court on Friday.

He said he is hopeful that Darlington will be granted bail and released from detention before Christmas.

“He is not spending Christmas and New Year in detention. We have been doing all we can. We are moving a motion. We will be in court again tomorrow,” he said.

“We will apply ex-parte. Hopefully, after tomorrow he will probably be granted bail. What is causing the delay is that there is no proper schedule to get a closer date. Once he is arraigned in court, why not? We would meet the bail. No judge would not want to grant him bail, because he has been in detention for the past four weeks for a mere civil action.

“It is just to get a proper scheduling of the court. The reason he is not granted administrative bail is something that is beyond my comprehension. It is obvious that some high-profile persons are involved in this matter.”