Controversial Nigerian singer Speed Darlington has appealed to Grammy-winning artiste Burna Boy to end their prolonged dispute by withdrawing the criminal charges filed against him.
Titiansloaded reports that the singer, whose real name is Darlington Okoye, made the appeal in an Instagram video shared on Thursday, where he expressed regret over comments he previously made about Burna Boy and asked for an opportunity to settle their differences.
Speed Darlington also promised to stop making remarks about Burna Boy’s sexuality and refrain from mentioning his name if the charges against him were dropped.
The disagreement between the entertainers dates back to October 2024, when Speed Darlington questioned the circumstances surrounding Burna Boy’s Grammy Award victory for his album Twice as Tall.
During the controversy, he made insinuations about Burna Boy’s alleged association with American music executive Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, suggesting that it had influenced the singer’s award recognition.
Burna Boy subsequently petitioned the police over alleged defamation and cyberstalking, resulting in Speed Darlington’s arrest in Lagos on October 4, 2024.
He was later transferred to Abuja, where he remained in detention before regaining his freedom on October 9, 2024.
In his latest video, Speed Darlington acknowledged that his remarks may have caused Burna Boy emotional distress and embarrassment, saying he regretted approaching the disagreement based on his assumption that both entertainers would react similarly.
He described the apology as an attempt to bring the dispute to an end and restore peace between them.
Addressing Burna Boy directly, the singer said he was prepared to avoid both direct and indirect references to his sexuality if the Grammy winner agreed to withdraw the charges.
He also pledged to stop mentioning Burna Boy’s name as part of the proposed settlement.
Speed Darlington said: “I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you.
“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy.
“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality.”
He further assured the singer that he would avoid indirect remarks on the subject, adding that he wanted both parties to move on from the disagreement.
The latest appeal comes as Speed Darlington seeks to resolve the legal dispute that began following his social media comments about Burna Boy.
