Oladapo Oyebanji, popularly known as D’banj has been arrested and detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The singer was arrested on Tuesday, the 6th of December 2022 for alleged fund diversion of N-Power funds.
What happened?
D’banj has been accused of diverting N-Power funds running into millions of naira, in collaboration with government officials. According to Punch NG, a source within the ICPC confirmed that D’banj had indeed been arrested, after failing to show up at the anti-graft agency following several invitations for questioning. D’banj who claimed he was out of the country for scheduled concerts was forced to surrender after being threatened with arrest wherever he was found in the world.
According to investigators, D’banj, along with other government officials included ghost beneficiaries into the N-Power payroll, allowing them receive the stipends paid to the ghost beneficiaries in bank accounts which have been linked to the singer. D’banj, who was interrogated for a prolonged period after his detention has had his plea for administrative bail rejected. Officials have insisted that they do not trust that the artist would attend his trial if granted bail.
What is N-Power?
N-Power was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2016. The scheme falls under the National Social Investment Program which was designed to create a structure for work skill acquisition and development. N-Power is geared towards addressing the issue of youth unemployment and aiding social development. Applicants for the scheme are posted to different primary place of assignments for work and are placed on monthly stipends by N-Power.
What’s next?
An official statement is expected to be released soon, but it is speculated that D’banj will be arranged in court this week for an extended remand order. This is intended to allow the carrying out of further investigation before the musician is finally charged to court.
The spokesperson for the ICPC, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, is yet to make any official statements on the matter.