Afrobeat superstar Oladapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, has been released by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
D’Banj’s release was announced by his lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, through his official Facebook profile.
The ICPC was said to have released the superstar, arrested on December 6, after failing to find any incriminating evidence linking him to fraud.
“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.
“It is instructive to note that the ICPC released D’banj on self-recognizance after the agency could not find anything incriminating on him or connecting him to the alleged crime/fraud,” the musician’s lawyer said.
The lawyer further added that the Oliver Twist crooner was accused of diverting N-Power funds of over N900 million.
Mr Olajengbesi further demanded that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs release the names of government officials involved with his client in the alleged fraud case.
“The ICPC Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN), and the entire officers of the ICPC must be deeply sad & embarrassed also that their decent organization was used for such a shameful publicity stunt 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 the 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 to say big thank you to Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN and my Learned Senior Barr. Babs for the leadership. Special thanks to all officers of ICPC for treating Dbanj kindly throughout his stay. Dbanj, chop life!” he added.
Earlier this week, the Koko Master was reportedly detained over fraud-related offences in which he was accused of having allegedly connived with corrupt government officials to divert hundreds of thousands of naira budgeted by the federal government for the N-Power project set up to tackle youth unemployment and increase social development.
