ICPC Releases D’banj 72 Hours After Detention for ₦900M Fraud

D’banj has regained his freedom, 72 hours after he was arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC).

On Tuesday, Nigerians woke up to the news of D’banj’s arrest and detention over allegations of fraud. He was reportedly accused of diverting millions of Naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for N-power project, an empowerment project established in 2016 to increase social development and alleviate youth empowerment.

The popular singer allegedly connived with some government officials to set up ghost accounts and beneficiaries into the payroll of the project. He was summoned by the ICPC after the accounts were linked to him.

 

Immediately after his arrest, D’banj denied any affiliation with the allegations leveled against him. His lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, also described the charges as absurd and assured that his client was completely prepared and eager to collaborate to the fullest extent permissible by law in order to ascertain the truth.

The federal ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management, and social development has revealed that it reported the alleged N-power fraud to the ICPC for investigations. The permanent secretary of the ministry, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, said that the ICPC was invited for investigations after inadequacies in the payment processes of N-power beneficiaries were unearthed. He said,

“When it came to our notice that there may have been some sharp practices by some personnel of the Payment Service Provider involved in the payment processes of beneficiaries, the matter was immediately referred to ICPC for a thorough investigation. We are aware that certain persons have consequently been invited for interrogation as part of the ongoing investigations.”

Days after his dentention, D’banj was finally released today. His lawyer reported that he was released on self-recognition, but did not clarify if his client was granted an administrative bail. His statement read:

ICPC RELEASES DBANJ’S AFTER NO EVIDENCE OF FRAUD ALLEGATION

1. 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.
2. It is instructive to note that the ICPC released D’banj) on self-recognition after the agency could not find anything incriminating about him.
3. Nigerians must be told the truth that D’banj) is clean and have no criminal or fraud record. It, however, is an embarrassment to the entire country that such a huge allegation of N900m fraud against a public figure without any evidence.
4. 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 a few organizations and persons stood and waited to verify the claims. This form of media trial is evil.
5. 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 the world the money traced to his account and the amount.
6. We still demand 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.
7. This is injustice and upon the instruction of our client, we may head to court to seek redress, a public apology, and compensation from the ICPC. The detention of D’banj) is it an injustice that the ICPC found nothing incriminating traced to his innocent personality?
8. This is to say a big thank you to Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and my Learned Senior Barr. Babs Akinwumi for the leadership.

Thank You.

Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.

Managing Partner

Law Corridor

December 9, 2022