ICPC, Police Clear D’Banj Of N-Power Fraud, Rape
Nigerian singer, Dapo Oyebanjo, otherwise known as D’banj, has been cleared of rape and N-power fraud allegations by the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission.
In different documents issued on Friday, the police and the anti-graft agency gave the artiste a clean slate in different clearance reports upon finalizing investigations.
In an affidavit deposed by Toheeb Lawal of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, before the District Court of Abuja, wherein the reports of the Nigeria Police Force Investigation and clearance from the ICPC were marked exhibits A and B, the legal practitioner disclosed that the police and the ICPC cleared the singer of rape and fraud allegations.
Recall that 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 stated that the matter was investigated but there was no evidence to substantiate the claim.
“The allegation was investigated,” the police report partly read.
“There is no medical report on the victim to ascertain that she was raped. There are no adduced facts or corroborative evidence to substantiate the allegation of rape against the suspect. Prima facie offences of indecent assault, rape, and intimidation are not made out.
“However, the complainant, through her counsel, Ojoge, Omileye & Partners, submitted a later, dated July 17, 2020, to the DIG Force CID, to voluntarily withdraw the petition and discontinue the investigation.”
Also, in 2022, the ICPC accused D’banj of diverting funds associated with the N-Power Programme of the Federal Government.
However, after its investigation, the ICPC said that D’banj was not guilty of any fraud allegation.
In response to an inquiry, the commission cleared D’banj of any infraction on the matter.
“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,” the ICPC clearance partly read.
