ICPC, Police clear D’banj of fraud, rape allegations

Image: Daily Post

Nigerian singer Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, has been officially cleared of rape and fraud allegations by both the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), respectively.

The police and the anti-graft agency issued separate clearance reports following thorough investigations, both confirming the innocence of the 'Fall-In-Love' crooner.

The legal clearance was documented in an affidavit filed by Toheeb Lawal of the Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, before the District Court of Abuja. The affidavit included reports from the Nigeria Police Investigation and Clearance from the ICPC.

In 2020, D'banj faced accusations of rape, leading to an official investigation ordered by the Inspector General of Police. In the November 14, 2023, report, the police stated that the matter had been thoroughly investigated, and there was no evidence to substantiate the rape claim.

The clearance reports from both the police and ICPC mark a legal resolution of the allegations against the Kokomaster singer.

“The allegation was investigated,” the report partly read. “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.”

Also, sometime in late 2022, D’banj was wrongly accused of diversion of funds associated with the N-Power Programme of the Federal Government.

However, in a separate outcome after its investigation, the ICPC said that D’banj was not guilty of any fraud allegation.

In response to an inquiry, the Commission cleared D’banj of any infraction on the matter.

The clarification was dated November 29, 2023, with document number ICPC/OPS/SDD/SPT.LG/31/23.

“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 partly read.

The lawyer, in his deposition filed before the Chief District Court of the Federal Capital Territory at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, also averred that the singer was never a government official and never had any access to government funds and that the N-power campaign he supported was free and was never paid a penny by anyone or the government.

Source: dailypost.ng

#ICPC
#Police
#D’banj
#Fraud
#Rape allegations