Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning artiste, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, and appealed to him to withdraw the charges against him over their long-running dispute.

Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, expressing regret over the pain and embarrassment his comments might have caused the singer.

“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.

The rapper admitted that he had wrongly assumed that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted the disagreement between them to end.

“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.

Promises to stop comments about Burna Boy

As part of his appeal, Speed Darlington promised to stop making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality if the singer agreed to withdraw all charges against him.

“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.

“Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.

He also promised not to mention Burna Boy’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.

“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.

How the feud started

The disagreement between the two entertainers escalated in October 2024 after Speed Darlington posted videos questioning Burna Boy’s Grammy Award win for his album, Twice as Tall, and making insinuations about his relationship with American music executive, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

Burna Boy subsequently petitioned the police over alleged defamation and cyberstalking, leading to Speed Darlington’s arrest in Lagos on 4 October 2024. He was transferred to Abuja, where he was detained before being released on 9 October 2024.

The singer’s lawyer, Stan Alieke, had earlier issued an apology to Burna Boy, explaining that the controversial videos were made for entertainment and were not intended to defame or malign the Grammy winner.

Mr Alieke also disclosed that Speed Darlington had privately contacted Burna Boy and his team to apologise and clarify his comments.

However, Speed Darlington later distanced himself from the apology, claiming that his lawyer had advised him to make it to recover his seized phone.

Second arrest and prolonged detention

The dispute resurfaced in November 2024 when Speed Darlington was arrested again while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State.

His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, criticised the arrest, describing it as unnecessary and accusing Burna Boy of using the police to oppress his client.

The singer remained in detention for several weeks, with his legal team raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding his continued custody.

He was subsequently arraigned and granted bail in January 2025.

Despite his release, the disagreement continued, with Speed Darlington releasing diss material and making further public comments about Burna Boy.

His latest apology appears to be another attempt to end the dispute, although he has tied his promise to stop commenting on the singer to the withdrawal of the charges.