ICPC, Police clear D’banj of fraud, rape allegations

Dapo Oyebanjo, also known as D’banj, a Nigerian singer, has been exonerated of rape and fraud claims by the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Following the conclusion of investigations with undeniable results on the Kokomaster crooner’s innocence, the police and the anti-graft agency granted the ‘Fall-In-Love’ crooner a clean slate in separate clearing reports.

In an affidavit deposed by Toheeb Lawal of the Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor before the District Court of Abuja, wherein the reports of the Nigeria Police Investigation and Clearance from the anti-corruption agency were exhibited and marked exhibit A and B, the legal practitioner stated that the police and ICPC cleared the singer of rape and fraud allegations.

In 2020, the singer was accused of rape, and the Inspector General of Police launched an investigation.

According to 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 matter was investigated but no evidence to substantiate the claim was found.

“The allegation was investigated,” the report partly read. “The complainant, witnesses and suspects made their statement. Investigation was expanded across board but there was no prima-facie evidence, adduced facts or corroborative evidence to establish the offence of rape and sexual assault against the singer.”

In addition, sometime in late 2022, D’banj was falsely accused of diverting monies from the Federal Government’s N-Power Programme.

However, following its inquiry, the ICPC determined that D’banj was not guilty of any fraud allegations.

Following an investigation, the Commission cleared D’banj of any wrongdoing in the incident.

The explanation was dated November 29, 2023, and was accompanied by the document ICPC/OPS/SDD/SPT.LG/31/23.

“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 statement partly read.

The lawyer, in his deposition filed before the Chief District Court of the Federal Capital Territory at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, also averred that the singer was never a government official and never had any access to government funds and that the N-power campaign he supported was free and was never paid a penny by anyone or the government.