VIDEO: Speed Darlington Apologises After Viral Video Sparks Outrage Over Underage Girl Claim

Controversial Nigerian singer, Speed Darlington, has issued a public apology after facing heavy backlash over a viral video in which he claimed to have slept with a 15-year-old girl.

In the original video, which circulated widely on social media, the artist narrated a disturbing story about an encounter with a teenage girl, said to have taken place around ten years ago. 

His comments caused widespread outrage, with many calling for authorities to investigate and take action against him.

However, in a new video posted to his Instagram account on Wednesday, Speed Darlington addressed the backlash and claimed the story was fake. According to him, the video was a publicity stunt meant to draw attention to his new music.

“All my followers who are upset about that video where I talked about sleeping with a 15-year-old, I’m an entertainer,” he said. “I need controversy to survive. If you’re not trending, you’re not getting booked. That’s the truth.”

The singer went on to say that his latest song contains explicit content and that the viral story was part of a strategy to promote it.

“I don’t make Christian music,” he added. “My new song is filled with ‘f*** this, f*** that’ and I needed content to match the theme. That’s what the video was for. Don’t give it more meaning than it deserves.”

He ended his statement with an apology, saying, “If any of you are offended, it’s alright. I apologise.”

The incident initially gained attention on Tuesday after many social media users shared clips from the Instagram Live session where Speed Darlington made the troubling comments. He had narrated the story partly in Igbo, which did not stop it from reaching a wide audience and causing serious concern.

In response, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) expressed interest in the matter, given the nature of the claims.

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This is not the first time the singer has found himself in hot water over similar issues. Back in 2022, Speed Darlington was involved in a heated argument with neighbours who accused him of getting too close to a 16-year-old girl.

He recorded the confrontation while holding a knife, claiming that the women were invading his privacy. One of the women was heard shouting that he was trying to groom a teenage house help, and dared him to come outside and face her.

In 2023, the artist again stirred up controversy when he announced online that he was looking for a girlfriend between the ages of 16 and 20. He stated that his usual approach was to visit villages after shows to find a young girl and bring her to Lagos.

Watch video below:

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