Oladapo Oyebanjo, better known by his stage name D’banj, was released on his own recognizance after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, or ICPC, was unable to locate any evidence against him.
The lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, announced this on his official Facebook page. He claimed that the singer’s bogus accusation was embarrassing for the nation.
He also revealed that D’banj had been charged with stealing approximately N900 million from N-Power. Olajengbesi urged that the identities of government officials allegedly associated with D’banj in the alleged fraud be made public by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
He stated, “D’banj was released on self-recognizance after the ICPC was unable to locate any evidence against him. He is pure. The fact that a 900 million Naira accusation was made public but unsubstantiated is embarrassing for the entire nation.
“The Chairman and all of the ICPC personnel must be extremely saddened and ashamed that their honorable institution was exploited for such a disgraceful publicity against an innocent guy.
“Only a few groups and individuals waited to confirm the claims. The evil of Nigeria. The Minister who claimed to have given instructions to the ICPC but instead just profited from an ongoing inquiry must now be prepared to defend herself in front of everyone.
“We continue to demand that you reveal the information regarding the government agency he is supposed to have worked with, as well as the account and sum purportedly linked to Dbanj’s account.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and my learned senior barrister. Babs for taking the reins. A special thank you to all ICPC officers for their wonderful treatment of Dbanj during his stay. Dbanj, end your life! ”
The anti-graft agency reportedly apprehended and arrested the pop artist on Tuesday for fraud-related offenses.
He was charged with conspiring with several dishonest government employees to embezzle hundreds of thousands of naira intended for the N-Power project, a program for empowerment launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 to combat youth unemployment and advance social development, in Nigeria.
The corrupt government officials and the singer of “Oliver Twist” are alleged to have added fictitious recipients to the payroll of the cash, and the money was later found in accounts connected to the artist.
