Nigerian singer, D’banj Arrested and Detained Over N-Power Fund Fraud Allegations
PublishedDecember 8, 2022 @ 10:35 AM
D’banj Arrested for Alleged N-Power Fraud
Ace Nigerian singer-songwriter and entrepreneur, Oladapo Oyebanji popularly known by the stage name, D’banj has been arrested by the operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged diversion of N-Power funds.
The singer who was arrested and detained earlier this week (Tuesday) by the operatives of the ICPC closely watched his movement following his inability to honour invitation several times in the agency’s Abuja office – giving one excuse to the other.
According to multiple reports, D’banj had ignored the agency for several weeks – claiming he is not in the country and he is preparing for musical concerts abroad.
D’banj is no doubt one of the top richest musicians in Nigeria and has been accused of fraudulently diverting public funds earmarked by the Federal Government of Nigeria for N-Power project – an empowerment programme designed to support start-up business across the 36 states of the federation.
Reports reveal that Mr. Oyebanji secretly alongside some government officials introduced a non-existing list of beneficiaries to the N-Power project to divert funds into their personal pockets and to that extend the government agency deemed it right to arrest the celebrity.
After the singer failed to show up for interrogation despite multiple invitations, the ICPC moved to arrest him anywhere in Nigeria and abroad, forcing him to show up at the commission’s office on Tuesday.
On arrival, D’banj was interrogated and was thereafter detained. His plea for administrative bail was however rejected by officials who said Mr. Oyebanji could not be trusted to attend his trial if released on bail.
It was also learnt that the ICPC might approach the court on Wednesday for an extended remand order to enable the agency complete its investigation before charging him to court.
Nigerian singer, D’banj, is not new to controversies. In June 2020, he was entangled in a messy drama involving the alleged rape of a lady in 2018.
A Nigerian model scout, Benjamin Ese, had alleged that D’banj raped his friend on December 31, 2018, at a hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to him, his friend was forced to share her story after the Kokomaster joined in preaching against rape on his Instagram page as follows: “#NoMeansNo. We Need to Raise Our Sons right and Teach them to love and Respect Women. We Need Justice for Our GIRLS…Say NO to Rape, Racism, tribalism. Let us stop living in FEAR and HATE, and start living in LOVE…”
What do you think is going to be D’banj’s fate after this fresh drama to his name? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.
