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

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

An affidavit deposed by Toheeb Lawal of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, before District Court of Abuja said tha D’banj was cleared in separate clearance reports by the police and the anti-graft agency.

In 2020, the singer was accused of rape and the Inspector General of Police ordered an investigation into the allegation.

In a report dated November 14, 2023 with case number CR:3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/SEB/T.1/VOL 18/284, and signed by ACP YY Abubakar of the Special Enquiry Bureau at the Force Criminal Investigations Department at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the police said the matter was investigated but there was no evidence to substantiate the claim.

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“The allegation was investigated,” the report partly read. “The complainant, witnesses and suspects made their statement. 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.”

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

Also the outcome of ICPC ‘s investigation said that D’banj was not guilty of any fraud allegation.

In a 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 report said, “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.”