ICPC Reportedly Arrest Pop Star Singer D’Banj
According to reports, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has apprehended Oladapo Oyebanji, best known by his nickname “ D’banj.
In accordance with a statement published from PREMIUM TIMES platform, the artist was reportedly detained on Tuesday after ICPC officials reportedly encircled him and compelled him to appear at the group’s headquarters in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
Source from insiders stated D’banj had been avoiding summonses for weeks by claiming that he was away performing at booked concerts each time he was called to appear for an interview over a fraud case.
The pop musician is accused of defrauding the Nigerian government of hundreds of naira meant for the N-Power project, an empowerment program that was started by the Nigerian government in 2016 to fight youth unemployment and advance social development. The pop musician is a well-known and wealthy Nigerian.
Investigators reveal that D’banj worked with some corrupt government officials to add phony recipients to the scheme’s payroll. The beneficiaries then receive cash into accounts that are allegedly now linked to the pop singer.
After the artist continually ignored invitations to attend for questioning, the ICPC sought to have him arrested anywhere in Nigeria and abroad; as a result, he was made to appear at the commission’s office on Tuesday.
D’banj was reportedly jailed following a drawn-out interrogation that began as soon as he arrived. Because they did not trust the musician to present at his trial if released on bond, officials denied his plea for administrative bail.
On Wednesday, the ICPC can ask the court for an extension of the detention order so that it can complete its investigation before charging the singer.
