Musician Willingly Submitted Himself For Interrogation, Not Guilty Of Accusations, Clarifies Lawyer

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday, December 7, confirmed the arrest and detention of Oladipo Daniel Oyebanjo, otherwise known by his stage name, D’Banj, over the investigation of fraud associated with the N-Power programme.

  The N-Power is a scheme established by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 8, 2016 to address the issues of youth unemployment and empowerment and help increase social development.

  In its statement on Wednesday afternoon, the ICPC said: “In line with its mandate, the Commission had received numerous petitions on the diversion of N-Power funds running into billions of naira following the approval and release of such funds to the beneficiaries by the federal government. Many N-Power beneficiaries had complained over the non-receipt of the monthly funds in spite of payment by government.

  “About 10 persons have been invited by the ICPC over the last few months in connection with the N-Power fraud and have been granted administrative bail after their detention. Several invitations to Mr. Oladipo Daniel Oyebanjo (D’banj) to appear before a team of investigators were ignored and not honoured.

  “Mr. Oyebanjo (D’banj) turned in himself and was taken into custody at the ICPC Headquarters on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, and is currently assisting the investigators to unravel the circumstances of the fraud allegations by the petitioners.

  “The investigation will be all-encompassing and also be extended to other collaborators of the fraud and the banks where the beneficiaries’ accounts are domiciled.

  “This press release has become necessary to set the record straight in view of the reports awash in the media. The investigation is ongoing and the Commission prefers not to preempt its outcome and also avoid the frenzy of a media trial.

  But Counsel to Dbanji said the musician willingly submitted himself for interrogation and was not guilty of the accusations alleged by the ICPC.

  Recall that the ICPC had earlier on Wednesday, confirmed the arrest of the Oliver Twist crooner, saying he was brought in after snubbing several invitations by the ICPC to be interrogated by a team of investigators.

  The ICPC said the investigations will be all-encompassing and also be extended to other collaborators of the fraud and the banks where the beneficiaries’ accounts are domiciled.

  However, Assistant Team Head, Litigation, Law Corridor, Maryat Musa, in a statement on Wednesday, December 7, rose in defence of D’Banj, saying the musician only engaged in legitimate businesses.

 As a matter of policy, D’banj and his management do not engage in business dealings, unless they are legitimate, properly documented and obtainable in law.

“Dbanj was officially invited by the ICPC in respect of the investigation a month ago, he sent in letters through his attorneys to the commission in respect of his schedule in South Africa and promised to visit the Commission when he returned.

  “On Monday, December 5, 2022, D’banj freely and of his law-abiding accord went to the Commission at about 2pm immediately he arrived Abuja. The Officers of the Commission advised that he returned the following day as it was late for any interview on said Monday.

“D’banj returned to the Commission the following day being Tuesday the 6th of December, 2022 as earlier agreed and voluntarily submitted himself to the Commission to make their inquiry and investigation.”

According to Musa, D’banj encouraged the Commission to carry out its investigation thoroughly to ensure that characters attempting to bring him into “ridiculous” activities are brought to book.

  “It is inconceivable that D’banj whose very career is a reference point for hard work, diligence and honesty would lend his reputation built steadfastly over the years to acts of such accusations which he must now stoically suffer through while clearing his name.

  “The general public are advised to resist the urge to buy into media sensationalism, which is unsurprising, but regardless harmful to the course for the truth, which D’banj has willing set himself on by honouring the ICPC’s summons,” the lawyer said.