Nigerian singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has publicly appealed to Grammy-winning artiste Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, to withdraw all legal charges against him.
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In an apology video shared online on Thursday, November 12, 2026, Speed Darlington expressed regret for comments he had made about Burna Boy and asked the singer to end their long-running dispute.
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“I apologise for any pain that I have caused you, any shame that I have caused you,” he said. “I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrate at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy.”
The singer then offered a condition for peace: Burna Boy should withdraw the charges within two weeks. In return, he pledged not to make direct or indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality again.
“Let peace reign and withdraw all charges from now to the next two weeks,” Speed Darlington said. “I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name.”
Why he is seeking peace
The apology follows a dispute that escalated after Speed Darlington made remarks about Burna Boy’s sexuality. Burna Boy subsequently petitioned the police over alleged defamation and cyberstalking.lifestyle.
Speed Darlington was arrested in October 2024 over allegations connected to the comments. He was later granted bail, but reporting indicates that the legal matter remained before the courts.lifestyle.
His latest video marks a clear shift in tone. After months of public confrontation, the singer is now seeking an out-of-court resolution and has framed his apology as a formal attempt to de-escalate the matter.lifestyle.
Speed Darlington’s apology does not, by itself, end the case. Burna Boy had not publicly responded to the appeal at the time of reporting, and there was no confirmation that the charges had been withdrawn.otown
The request also raises a practical question: whether an apology and a promise to stop making further remarks can resolve allegations that have already led to police petitions and court proceedings. In Nigeria, withdrawal of a complaint does not automatically erase every procedural step in a criminal matter; the final decision would depend on the nature of the case, the complainant’s position, and the court’s direction.
For now, Speed Darlington has made his position clear: he wants the dispute to end, but only if Burna Boy agrees to withdraw the charges.
The case has drawn attention because it involves two prominent entertainers and touches on a recurring issue in Nigeria’s digital culture: the boundary between criticism, mockery and potentially actionable online statements.
Defamation and cyberstalking allegations can carry serious consequences, especially where a public figure alleges that false or damaging statements have harmed their reputation. The dispute also highlights the growing use of legal action by Nigerian celebrities against online commentary, rather than relying only on public rebuttals.
For ordinary social-media users, the case is a reminder that posts, videos and reposts can have legal consequences. An apology may help reduce tension, but it does not guarantee that an ongoing case will be discontinued.
Quote box
“Let peace reign and withdraw all charges from now to the next two weeks. I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name.”
— Speed Darlington, in an apology video shared on November 12, 2026.
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