-
ICPC: D’banj’s Lawyer breaks silence on arrest
-
N-Power: D’banj’s arrest is misconceived, malicious — Lawyer
D’banj’s lawyer, Maryam El-Yakub Musa, has referred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission’s (ICPC) accusations against him as unfounded.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, the artist was arrested and detained on Tuesday after ICPC operatives closed in on him, prompting him to present himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Investigators claim that D’banj conspired with some corrupt government officials to add fake beneficiaries to the N-Power scheme payroll.
The funds distributed to those beneficiaries are subsequently transferred to accounts that are now purportedly associated with the pop singer.
Reacting to the arrest, Ms Musa said his “arrest is misconceived, malicious and prejudicial to the justice system anywhere in the world.”
RELATED:
- Nigerian artists who have been arrested over fraud claims
- D’banj Most Viewed Music Videos on Youtube
She also said she expects the Commission to stay professional
“For the record, D’banj has no contractual or incidental relationship whatsoever with any group or persons within or outside government about the disbursement, operations, access or control of the process of any government fund through an agency or its subsidiaries.
“Emphatically and as a matter of policy, Dbanj and his management do not engage in business dealings unless they are legitimate, properly documented and obtainable in law,” Ms Musa said.
On the accusation of evading arrest, the legal representative explained that D’banj was officially invited by the ICPC in respect of the investigation a month ago.
However, she said, he sent letters through his attorneys to the Commission regarding his schedule in South Africa and promised to visit the Commission when he returned.
Keeping to his promise, she said, on Monday the 5th of December, the singer, of his own volition, visited the commission but was asked to return the next day, which he did.
“D’banj has encouraged the Commission to conduct its investigation thoroughly to ensure that characters attempting to bring him into such ridiculous activities must be brought to book.
“It is inconceivable that D’banj, whose very career is a reference point for hard work, diligence and honesty, would lend his reputation built steadfastly over the years to acts of such accusations which he must now stoically suffer through while clearing his name,” she said.
RELATED:
- Nigerian artists who have Been Arrested Over Drug-Related offences
- Why D’Banj’s name can never be erased in the Nigerian music
She further urged the general to resist the urge to buy into media sensationalism which is unsurprising but harmful to the course for the truth which D’banj has set himself on by honouring the ICPC’s summons.
Meanwhile, the ICPC has confirmed the arrest and detention of the singer over alleged N-Power fraud.
In a statement signed by the Commission’s spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, the body said that in line with its mandate, it had received numerous petitions on the diversion of N-Power funds running into billions of naira following the approval and release of such funds to the beneficiaries by the Federal Government.
The spokesperson revealed that about ten persons have been invited by the ICPC over the last few months in connection with the N-Power fraud and have been granted administrative bail after detention.
“Mr Oyebanjo (D’banj) turned himself in and was taken into custody at the ICPC Headquarters on Tuesday, 6th of December, 2022, and is currently assisting the investigators in unravelling the circumstances of the fraud allegations by the petitioners.
“The investigation will be all-encompassing and extended to other collaborators of the fraud and the banks where the beneficiaries’ accounts are domiciled,” he said.