The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) has allegedly arrested popular singer, Oladapo Oyebanji, aka D’Banj.
Premium Times reports that the award-winning musician was detained by the ICPC on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.
It was gathered that operatives of the commission closed in on D’Banj and he was left with no choice than to surrender himself at its headquarters in Abuja.
The media executive is alleged to have diverted thousands of naira earmarked by the federal government for N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up in 2016 to address youth unemployment.
Sources said the self-styled ‘Koko Master’ had refused to honour summons for weeks, and claimed that he was overseas due to scheduled concerts each time he was invited to appear for interrogation over fraud allegation.
According to Investigators, D’Banj and some government officials colluded to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of N-Power.
They said the stipend meant for the ghost beneficiaries of the scheme are then redirected to accounts that have now allegedly been linked to the singer.
Following D’Banj’s failure to show up for interrogation despite multiple invitations, the ICPC launched a manhunt for him with the intention of apprehending the pop star either in Nigeria or abroad. This forced the musician to make himself available at the agency’s head office in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday.
It was alo gathered that anti-graft agency subjected D’Banj to a prolonged interrogation session after he arrived and consequently detained him. His plea for administrative bail was rejected by officials who said the musician could not be trusted to attend his trial if released on bail.
Sources privy to the details of the matter told Premium Times that ICPC might approach the court on Wednesday, December 7th to request an extended remand order to enable the completion of its investigation.
