Nigeria popular Afro Star, Oladapo Oyebanjo, known as D’banj, has reacted over his arrest by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, describing the arrest as “misconceived, mischievous and prejudicial to the justice system anywhere in the world.”
The Nigeria star was arrested and detained, Tuesday, by the anti-graft agency, over fraud related offences.
He was accused of conniving with some corrupt government officials to divert hundreds of thousands of naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, to address youth unemployment and increase social development.
The ‘Oliver Twist’ crooner, alongside the corrupt government officials, were said to have introduced ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the funds, and the monies were later traced to accounts associated with the singer.
Meanwhile, in an eleven-point statement released yesterday, through his lawyer, Maryam Musa, the artiste urged the commission to carry out its investigation thoroughly to ensure that characters attempting to bring him into such ridiculous activities will be brought to book.
The statement reads in part: “The media is awash with reports of Oladapo Oyebanjo, Dbanj, in ICPC custody, with regard to unestablished allegations of fraud for which it has become crucial to make the following statement, for the purpose of clarity and to set public records straight.
“It is instructive to state foremost that the report concerning the arrest and detention of Oyebanjo is misconceived, malicious and prejudicial to the justice system anywhere in the world, and we would advise that the general public be well guided.
“We acknowledge the fact that the ICPC is currently investigating allegations of diversion of N-Power funds, as already stated by the commission and we continue to hold the expectation that the commission will stay the course of professionalism in this matter.
For the record, D’banj has no such contractual or incidental relationship whatsoever with any group or persons within or outside government, in relation to the disbursement, operations, access or control of the operation of any government fund through an agency or its subsidiaries.
“Emphatically and as a matter of policy, Dbanj and his management do not engage in business dealings unless they are legitimate, properly documented and obtainable in law.
