Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has leveled serious accusations against Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy, claiming that the musician used his influence to oppress fellow artist Speed Darlington. Adeyanju’s statements come amid the detention of Speed Darlington, who was reportedly arrested shortly after his return to Nigeria. The lawyer has publicly expressed his concerns, casting doubt on the fairness of the process that led to Darlington’s arrest.
In a recent appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast, Adeyanju discussed the circumstances surrounding Darlington’s arrest, which occurred on November 25. “Speed Darlington has been in police custody since the 25th of November, and we are very concerned about how the situation is being handled,” Adeyanju said. His comments revealed frustration at what he described as a flawed legal process. The lawyer further explained that his client has yet to be afforded a fair opportunity to contest his detention.
Adeyanju, who is representing Speed Darlington in his legal battle, also pointed fingers at Burna Boy, alleging that the global music star played a direct role in the arrest. “Burna Boy sent a large contingent of Mobile Police Officers (MOPOL) to apprehend Speed Darlington,” Adeyanju claimed, raising questions about the use of such force against a relatively lesser-known artist. The lawyer’s accusations have raised concerns about the power dynamics within the Nigerian entertainment industry.
According to Adeyanju, Burna Boy’s actions are not only an abuse of influence but also a clear attempt to show dominance over someone much smaller in stature within the industry. He asked, “Why would Burna Boy, a globally recognized artist, target someone like Speed Darlington, who is more of a ‘small mosquito’ in comparison?” The use of such a metaphor reflects Adeyanju’s belief that the artist’s actions were disproportionately aggressive.
