Stan Alieke, the legal representative of controversial Nigerian singer Speed Darlington, has made it clear that his client has no intention of pleading with Burna Boy to drop the defamation charges filed against him.
This statement comes after Speed Darlington was detained for two months following Burna Boy’s petition accusing him of defamation. Addressing the situation in an interview with BBC Pidgin, Alieke emphasized that the matter is now under the court’s jurisdiction and does not require police involvement.
Lawyer’s Stance on the Case
Alieke stated firmly that neither he nor his client would support any plea for forgiveness. He argued that seeking Burna Boy’s pardon would be equivalent to admitting guilt:
“Akpi no go ever beg Burna Boy, we sef, we no go support am because of the things wey he don suffer… Matter don go court, beg or no beg, it’s now in the jurisdiction of the court to determine if wetin him talk, he really defame am or he no defame am.”
He also criticized the involvement of law enforcement, arguing that the case should be treated as a civil matter:
“The petition wey Burna Boy write be say the kain thing wey he don talk against am make am lose international reputation and lose some endorsements. Okay, why not go to court and tell court to institute a civil action? The court will equate the damages to financial compensation. But because of the person wey dey involved, they come gather police, police come dey involved.”
The Case Moving Forward
Speed Darlington’s legal team insists that the court should handle the matter objectively and determine whether defamation occurred, as well as any potential damages. Alieke highlighted the need to separate the police from what should be a civil legal dispute.
As the case progresses, all eyes will be on the court to see how it rules on this high-profile feud between the two Nigerian artists.
