ICPC release D'banj on self recognition after interrogating him for 48 hours over N-Power funds

AFROBEAT musician Daniel Oladapo popularly known as D’banj has been released on bail by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) who had arrested him on corruption charges on self-recognition.

On Wednesday, D’banj was arrested by the ICPC over corruption allegations related to the government's N-Power scheme. Launched way back in 2016, N-Power was a federal government initiative introduced to empower young people and Dbanj was brought in to act as one of its ambassadors.

ICPC officials said they arrested the musician over alleged fund diversion of millions of N-Power funds in collaboration with some government officials. After two days of interrogation, however, D’banj’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said the musician has been released from custody.

Mr Olajengbesi said D’Banj was innocent of the allegations of fund diversion related to the social empowerment programme N-Power scheme. He also challenged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to make public the names of government officials involved with D’Banj in the alleged fraud.

 “After 72 hours of unfair detention and false allegation against Mr Daniel Oladapo (D’banj), the ICPC on Friday afternoon released the popular singer. It is instructive to note that the ICPC released D’banj on self-recognition after the agency could not find anything incriminating on him.

“Nigerians must be told the truth that D’banj is clean and has no criminal or fraud record. It, however, is an embarrassment to the entire country that they could make such a huge allegation of N900m fraud against a public figure without any evidence.

“ICPC chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye and the entire officers must be deeply sad and embarrassed also that their decent organisation was used for such shameful publicity against an innocent man. Only few organisations and persons stood and waited to verify the claims. This form of media trial is evil.

“Also, the minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Sadiya Farouq, who claimed to have instructed the ICPC to detain D’banj must now be ready to explain to world the money traced to his account and the amount. We still demand that the minister provide the details of the government authority D’banj allegedly collaborated with and provide the account and N-power funds allegedly traced to Dbanj’s account.

“This is injustice and upon the instruction of our client, we may head to court to seek redress, a public apology and compensation from the ICPC. The detention of D’banj is an injustice, given that the ICPC found nothing incriminating traced to his innocent personality."