On Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to detained singer Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, setting bail at ₦20 million with one surety of equal value.
Justice Ekerete Akpan issued the ruling following Speed Darlington’s not guilty plea to a two-count charge of alleged cybercrime. The bail application was moved by his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar.
Justice Akpan specified that the surety must be a Level 10 civil servant residing in Abuja and must provide an affidavit of means. The court registrar is to verify the surety’s address, and the surety must be either a staff member of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) or a federal employee.
Additionally, the surety is required to deposit their letters of appointment and last promotion, subject to verification by the deputy chief registrar of the court. Justice Akpan also ordered Speed Darlington to surrender his international passport and directed both the surety and the defendant to submit two recent passport photographs to the court registrar.
Pending the fulfillment of these bail conditions, Speed Darlington is to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre. The trial is adjourned until March 18.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Inspector-General of Police had amended the charges against Speed Darlington, marked as FHC/ABJ/CR/556/2024, for cybercrime offences.
