ICPC DETAINS D’BANJ OVER FRAUD ALLEGATION
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DAMILOLA LAWRENCE
Oladapo Oyebanji, popularly known as D’banj, has been allegedly arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) over alleged diversion of N-Power fund.
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.
Insiders claimed that D’banj had dodged summons for weeks, claiming to be scheduled for overseas concerts each time he was invited to appear for interrogation over fraud allegation.
The music artist, a well-known and affluent Nigerian celebrity, is accused of diverting hundreds of naira intended for the N-Power project, an empowerment initiative launched by the Nigerian government in 2016 to combat youth unemployment and advance 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.
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