Nigerian singer Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, has been officially declared innocent of rape and fraud allegations by both the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The clearance reports, presented separately by the police and the anti-graft agency, affirm the singer’s exoneration from the accusations.
According to an affidavit filed by Toheeb Lawal of the Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor, the police and ICPC provided separate clearance reports, marked exhibit A and B, confirming that there is no evidence to substantiate the claims against D’banj.
In 2020, D’banj faced serious allegations of rape, leading to an investigation by the Inspector General of Police. The police report, dated November 14, 2023, stated that the thorough investigation revealed no prima facie evidence or corroborative evidence to establish the offence of rape and sexual assault against the singer. The report emphasized, “The allegation was investigated, statements from the complainant, witnesses, and suspects were obtained, and the investigation was expanded across board.”
In late 2022, D’banj was accused of being involved in the diversion of funds associated with the N-Power Programme of the Federal Government. The ICPC, in a clarification dated November 29, 2023, affirmed that there was no prima facie case of fraud against the singer. The statement clarified, “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.”
Toheeb Lawal, in his deposition before the Chief District Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, asserted that D’banj was never a government official, had no access to government funds, and supported the N-Power campaign without receiving any payment.
