The Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have officially absolved popular Nigerian singer Dapo Oyebanjo, widely known as D’banj, of rape and fraud allegations.
According to reports from Punch, both law enforcement agencies issued separate clearance reports after thorough investigations. In an affidavit filed by Toheeb Lawal of the Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor before the District Court of Abuja, reports from the Nigeria Police Force and the ICPC were presented as exhibits A and B, respectively. The legal practitioner stated that both entities found no evidence to substantiate the rape and fraud accusations against the artist.
In 2020, D’banj faced allegations of rape, prompting the Inspector General of Police to initiate an investigation. The police report, dated November 14, 2023, indicated that after comprehensive investigations, there was no evidence supporting the claim. The report highlighted statements from the complainant, witnesses, and suspects, along with testimony from the Glee Hotel Lagos staff, refuting the allegations. The hotel management stated that there was no record of the complainant checking in on the alleged date, and no medical report corroborated the rape accusation.
Furthermore, the complainant voluntarily withdrew the petition and discontinued the investigation, as confirmed in a letter dated July 17, 2020, submitted through her counsel, Ojoge, Omileye & Partners.
In 2022, the ICPC accused D’banj of diverting funds related to the N-Power Programme of the Federal Government. However, after a thorough inquiry, the ICPC clarified in a document dated November 29, 2023, that there was no prima facie case of fraud against the artist. D’banj’s lawyer affirmed that the singer was not a government official, never had access to government funds, and supported the N-Power campaign voluntarily without financial compensation.
With these clearances, D’banj emerges unscathed from the legal challenges, and his legal team emphasises his non-involvement in any fraudulent activities associated with the N-Power Programme.
