Nigeria Police Force, ICPC Exonerate D’banj of R3pe and N-power Fraud Allegations

Popular Nigerian singer, Dapo Oyebanjo aka D’banj has been released from allegations of r3pe and N-power fraud.

Punch reported that he was cleared by the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

In separate documents obtained by Punch on Friday, the artist was given a clean slate on clearance reports after the police and anti-graft agency completed their investigations.

In an affidavit deposed by Toheeb Lawal of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, before the District Court of Abuja, wherein the reports of the Nigeria Police Force Investigation and clearance from the ICPC were marked exhibits A and B, the legal practitioner averred that the police and the ICPC cleared the singer of r3pe and fraud allegations.

PUNCH reports that the singer was charged with r3pe in 2020, and the Inspector General of Police ordered an investigation into the allegations.

In 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 police said the matter was investigated but there was no evidence to substantiate the claim.

“The allegation was investigated”, the police report read in part.

It added, “The complainant, witnesses, and suspects made their statement. The investigation was extended to the Glee Hotel Lagos, where the staff on duty on the date of the alleged incident made their statement.

“The management and staff of the Glee Hotel averred that the first suspect was not seen in the hotel on the date of the alleged incident, nor was he given a spare key to gain access to any room in the hotel where the complainant lodged, and they have only one key to each room, which completely debunked the allegation of the complainant.

“The management of the hotel also held that it had no record to show that the complainant checked into the hotel as a guest on the alleged date, and she did not, at any time, raise an alarm, complain, or report any indecent assault or r3pe.

“There is no medical report on the victim to ascertain that she was r3ped. There are no adduced facts or corroborative evidence to substantiate the allegation of r3pe against the suspect. Prima facie offences of indecent assault, r3pe, and intimidation are not made out.

“However, the complainant, through her counsel, Ojoge, Omileye & Partners, submitted a later, dated July 17, 2020, to the DIG Force CID, to voluntarily withdraw the petition and discontinue the investigation”.

Additionally, in 2022, D’banj was accused by the ICPC of diverting funds related to the federal government’s N-Power Program.

However, after their investigation, the ICPC declared D’banj not guilty of any fraud charges.

In response to an investigation, the Commission found no violations committed by D’banj in the case.

The clarification was dated 29 January 2023, document number ICPC/OPS/SDD/SPT.LG/31/23.

“The commission investigated fraud in the administration of the N-Power Scheme, where the name of Mr. Daniel Oladapo Oybanjo came up. However, there was no prior case of fraud.

“We are kindly advising that Mr. Daniel Oladapo be investigated for any fraud related offenses at the Oyabanjo Commission”, the ICPC warrant reads in part.

D’banj’s 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.