Singer D’Banj cleared of rape, N-Power fraud allegations
he Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force have cleared ace singer, Dapo Oyebanjo also known as D’banj, of rape and fraud allegations.
The popular musician was arrested and detained by the commission on 6th of December 2022.
It was alleged that D’Banj and some government officials colluded to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of N-Power.
Also, in 2020, he was accused of rape and the Inspector General of Police ordered an investigation into the allegation.
But the police and the anti-graft agency have now given the ‘Why Me’ hit-maker a clean slate in separate clearance reports upon completion of investigations with incontrovertible outcomes on the innocence of the Kokomaster singer.
In an affidavit deposed by Toheeb Lawal of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, before the District Court of Abuja, wherein the reports of the Nigeria Police Investigation and Clearance from the anti-corruption agency were exhibited and marked exhibit A and B, the legal practitioner averred that the police and ICPC cleared the singer of rape and fraud allegations.
In a report dated November 14, 2023, with case number CR:3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/SEB/T.1/VOL 18/284, and signed by ACP YY Abubakar of the Special Enquiry Bureau at the Force Criminal Investigations Department at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the police said the matter was investigated but there was no evidence to substantiate the claim.
According to the report; “The allegation was investigated. The complainant, witnesses and suspects made their statements. The investigation was expanded across board but there was no prima-facie evidence, adduced facts or corroborative evidence to establish the offence of rape and sexual assault against the singer.”
In response to an inquiry, the ICPC cleared D’banj of any infraction on the matter, saying he was not guilty of any fraud allegation.
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“The commission investigated issues of fraud in the administration of the N-POWER Scheme where Mr Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo’s name came up. However, there was no prima facie case of fraud against him.
“Kindly be advised that Mr Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo is not under investigation with the Commission for any fraud-related offence,” the statement added.
In the deposition filed by D’Banj’s lawyer before the Chief District Court of the Federal Capital Territory at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, it said the singer was never a government official and never had any access to government funds.
According to the lawyer, the N-power campaign which the self-styled ‘koko master’ supported was free and was never paid a penny by anyone or the government.