Popular Nigerian pop star, Oladapo Oyebanji also known as D’banj has been arrested and detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC).
Premium Times Nigeria reports that D’banj was forced to surrender himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Tuesday December 6, 2022.
Reports have it that D’banj had dodged summons for weeks, claiming to be overseas for scheduled concerts each time he was invited to appear for interrogation over fraud allegation.
The singer is accused of fraudulently diverting hundreds of naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up by the Nigerian government in 2016 to address youth unemployment and increase social development.
Reports also allege that D’banj colluded with some compromised government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the scheme.
It was gathered that the stipend paid to those beneficiaries are transfered to accounts that have now allegedly been linked to the pop star.
After D’banj 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.
Sources say 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 for confirmation as she is said to be attending a programme abroad.
Being in detention, D’banj too could not be reached for comment.