Crimes

ICPC confirms D’banj arrest over empowerment funds fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the arrest and detention of popular singer, Oladapo Oyebanjo, well known as D’banj, over fraud associated with the N-Power programme.

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 the development, 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.

“About 10 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 their detention.

“Several invitations to Mr Oladipo Daniel Oyebanjo, to appear before a team of investigators were ignored and not honoured.

“Mr Oyebanjo turned in himself and was taken into custody at the ICPC Headquarters on Tuesday, 6th December 2022, and is currently assisting the investigators to unravel the circumstances of the fraud allegations by the petitioners.

“The investigation will be all-encompassing and also be extended to other collaborators of the fraud and the banks where the beneficiaries’ accounts are domiciled.

“This press release has become necessary to set the record straight in view of the reports awash in the media. The investigation is ongoing and the Commission prefers not to preempt its outcome and also avoid the frenzy of a media trial,” the ICPC spokesperson stated.

The Star