Empowerment funds: ICPC releases D’banj

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has released ace singer, Oladapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj.

D’banj’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, disclosed this via a statement issued on Friday.

The Star had reported that D’banj was arrested by the ICPC operatives on Tuesday for allegedly diverting some funds for the N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up by the Federal Government in 2016 to address youth unemployment and increase social development in the country.

Confirming his arrest, the ICPC, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, said the commission 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.

Ogugua noted that many N-Power beneficiaries had complained over the non-receipt of the monthly funds in spite of payment by the government.

However, the singer’s lawyer, on Friday, said the ICPC released D’banj on self recognition, adding that nothing incriminating was found on him.

Olajengbesi stated: “After 72 hours of unfair detention and false allegation against Mr. Daniel Oladapo (D’banj), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Friday afternoon released the popular singer.

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“It is instructive to note that the ICPC released D’banj on self-recognition after the agency could not find anything incriminating on him.

“Nigerians must be told the truth that D’banj) is clean and have no criminal or fraud record. It is, however, an embarrassment to the entire country that such a huge allegation of N900m fraud against a public figure without any evidence.

“The ICPC Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN) and the entire officers of the ICPC must be deeply sad and embarrassed also that their decent organization was used for such a shameful publicity against an innocent man. Only few organizations and persons stood and waited to verify the claims. This form of media trial is evil.

“The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, who claimed to have instructed the ICPC to detain D’banj must now be ready to explain to world the money traced to his account and the amount.

“We still demand that the minister provide the details of the government authority D’banj allegedly collaborated with and provide the account and N-power funds allegedly traced to Dbanj’s account.

“This is injustice and upon the instruction of our client, we may head to court to seek redress, a public apology and compensation from the ICPC. The detention of D’banj is an injustice having that the ICPC found nothing incriminating traced to his innocent personality.

“This is to say a big thank you to Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and my Learned Senior Barr. Babs Akinwumi for the leadership,” he noted.

The Star