Singer Oladapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, has been released by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He was released Friday afternoon on self-recognition but could be invited later for further interrogation.
His lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi in a statement said, “After 72 hours of unfair detention and false allegation against Mr. Daniel Oladapo (D’banj), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Friday afternoon released the popular singer.”
Olajengbesi said “It is instructive to note that the ICPC released D’banj on self-recognition after the agency could not find anything incriminating about him.”
“Nigerians must be told the truth that D’banj is clean and have no criminal or fraud record. It, however, an embarrassment to the entire country that such a huge allegation of N900m fraud against a public figure without any evidence.”
Olajengbesi opined that “The ICPC Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN) and the entire officers of the ICPC must be deeply sad and embarrassed also that their decent organization was used for such shameful publicity against an innocent man. Only few organizations and persons stood and waited to verify the claims. This form of media trial is evil.”
According to Olajengbesi , “The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, who claimed to have instructed the ICPC to detain D’banj must now be ready to explain to world the money traced to his account and the amount.”
The lawyer demanded that the minister provide the details of the government authority D’banj allegedly collaborated with and provide the account and N-power funds allegedly traced to Dbanj’s account.
He said: “This is injustice and upon the instruction of our client, we may head to court to seek redress, a public apology and a compensation from the ICPC. The detention of D’banj) is an injustice having that the ICPC found nothing incriminating traced to his innocent personality.”
Olajengbesi concluded: “This is to say big thank you to Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and my Learned Senior Barr. Babs Akinwumi for the leadership.”
Brandpowerng reports that D’banj was accused of fraudulently diverting monies earmarked by the Federal Government for N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up in 2016 to address youth unemployment and increase social development.
N-power is part of the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) set up by the Muhammadu Buhari administration to tackle unemployment and increase social development.
The multiple-award-winning singer was arrested and detained Tuesday after ICPC operatives reportedly forced him to surrender himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
D’banj was said to have been making excuses while being summoned for weeks, claiming to be overseas for scheduled concerts each time he was invited to appear for interrogation over fraud allegation.
Investigators allege that D’banj colluded with some compromised government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the scheme. The stipend paid to those beneficiaries was then paid into accounts that have now allegedly been linked to the pop star.
