D’banj finally cleared of fraud, rape allegations by ICPC, Police

The Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force have cleared Nigerian singer Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D'banj, of charges of fraud and rape.

The "Fall-In-Love" crooner was given a clean slate by the police and the anti-graft agency in separate clearing reports after investigations concluded with unquestionable results regarding his innocence.

The Nigeria Police Investigation report and the anti-corruption agency's clearance were displayed and labeled exhibits A and B in an affidavit provided by Toheeb Lawal of the Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor before the District Court of Abuja.

In the statement, the lawyer claimed that the singer had been exonerated of charges of rape and fraud by both the police and the ICPC.

The singer was charged with rape in 2020, and the Inspector General of Police looked into the claims.

The matter was investigated, but no evidence to support the claim was found, 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 statement reads: “The allegation was investigated. 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.”

Furthermore, D'banj was unjustly accused of stealing money from the Federal Government's N-Power Program at some point in late 2022.

However, after conducting its investigation, the ICPC found that D'banj was innocent of all charges of fraud.

After looking into the matter, the Commission found D'banj to be innocent of any wrongdoing.

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

“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.

GA