The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) has arrested and detained popular Nigerian R&B singer Oladapo Oyebanji, better known by his stage name, D’banj.

According to an exclusive report by Premium Times, the musician was arrested and detained on 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 numerous summonses for weeks, claiming to be overseas for scheduled concerts each time he was invited to appear for interrogation over fraud allegations.

The pop star, a wealthy Nigerian celebrity, is accused of fraudulently diverting hundreds of naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for the 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 is then paid to accounts allegedly 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 on this story. She is said to be attending a programme abroad. Being in detention, the musician too could not be reached for comment
Source: https://matrixliveng.com/icpc-arrests-detains-nigerian-pop-star-dbanj-over-fraud/

There is no smoke without fire.

May be someone cook the books with his name, they would have to prove the money entered his account and he is in charge of the account or false distribution.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdFQRG9kedQ