The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences
Commission, (ICPC) has allegedly arrested and detained Oladapo Oyebanji, more
known by his stage name, D’banj.
Premium Times reports that the musician was arrested and
detained Tuesday after ICPC operatives closed in on him, forcing him to
surrender himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital,
sources familiar with the matter said.
D’banj, insiders said, had dodged summons for weeks,
claiming to be overseas for scheduled concerts each time he was invited to
appear for interrogation over fraud allegation.
The pop star, a wealthy Nigerian celebrity, is accused of
fraudulently diverting hundreds of millions naira earmarked by the Nigerian
government for N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up by the Nigerian
government in 2016 to address youth unemployment and increase social
development.
Investigators allege that D’banj colluded with some
compromised government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll
of the scheme. The stipend paid to those beneficiaries are then paid to
accounts that have now allegedly been linked to the pop star.
After the musician failed to show up for interrogation
despite multiple invitations, the ICPC moved to arrest him anywhere in Nigeria
and abroad, forcing him to show up at the commission’s office on Tuesday.
On arrival, D’banj was subjected to a prolonged
interrogation session after which he was detained. His plea for administrative
bail was rejected by officials who said the musician could not be trusted to
attend his trial if released on bail.
Our sources said the ICPC might approach the court on
Wednesday for an extended remand order to enable the agency complete its
investigation before charging the musician to court.
The spokesperson for the ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, could not be
reached to comment for this story. She is said to be attending a programme
abroad. Being in detention, the musician too could not be reached for comment
D’banj, 42, also known as the Kokomaster, was born on 9
June, 1980 in Zaria in Kaduna State, north-west Nigeria, to a military officer
who commanded an artillery regiment and a businesswoman from Shagamu in Ogun
State (South-west Nigeria), his profile on Wikipedia says.
The musician has twins as siblings — Taiwo and Kehinde
Oyebanjo.
A songwriter, singer, rapper and television personality,
D’banj has been active in the vibrant Nigerian music scene since 2004. He sings
afrobeat, hip pop, pop, and R&B.
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