The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC, and the Nigeria Police Force have cleared Nigerian musician Dapo Oyebanjo, or D’banj, of charges of rape and N-power fraud.
Following the conclusion of their investigations, the police and the anti-graft agency handed the artist a clean slate in separate clearance reports, according to documents that our correspondent exclusively received on Friday.
The Nigeria Police Force Investigation reports and the ICPC’s clearance were marked exhibits A and B in an affidavit Toheeb Lawal of the Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor submitted to the District Court of Abuja. The lawyer claimed that the authorities had cleared the D’banj of charges of fraud and rape.
Chronicle NG reports that in 2020, the singer was accused of rape, and the Inspector General of Police ordered an investigation into the allegation.
In a report dated November 14, 2023, with case number CR:3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/SEB/T.1/VOL 18/284 and signed by ACP YY Abubakar of the Special Enquiry Bureau at the Force Criminal Investigations Department at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the police noted that the matter was investigated but there was no evidence to substantiate the claim.
“The allegation was investigated,” the police report read in part.
It further added that “the complainant, witnesses, and suspects made their statement. The investigation was extended to the Glee Hotel Lagos, where the staff on duty on the date of the alleged incident made their statement.
“The management and staff of the Glee Hotel averred that the first suspect was not seen in the hotel on the date of the alleged incident, nor was he given a spare key to gain access to any room in the hotel where the complainant lodged, and they have only one key to each room, which completely debunked the allegation of the complainant.
“The management of the hotel also held that it had no record to show that the complainant checked into the hotel as a guest on the alleged date, and she did not, at any time, raise an alarm, complain, or report any indecent assault or rape.
“There is no medical report on the victim to ascertain that she was raped. There are no adduced facts or corroborative evidence to substantiate the allegation of rape against the suspect. Prima facie offenses of indecent assault, rape, and intimidation are not made out.
“However, the complainant, through her counsel, Ojoge, Omileye & Partners, submitted a later, dated July 17, 2020, to the DIG Force CID, to voluntarily withdraw the petition and discontinue the investigation.”
Additionally, in 2022, the ICPC charged D’banj with embezzling money related to the Federal Government’s N-Power Program.
But following its inquiry, the ICPC declared that D’banj was innocent of all charges related to fraud.
Following an investigation, the panel exonerated D’banj of any wrongdoing.
The clarification was dated November 29, 2023, with document number ICPC/OPS/SDD/SPT.LG/31/23.
“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.
“Kindly be advised that Mr. Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo is not under investigation with the Commission for any fraud-related offense,” the ICPC clearance partly read.
In a deposition submitted to the Chief District Court of the Federal Capital Territory at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, D’banj’s attorney further claimed that the singer was never employed by the government, had no access to government funds, and that the N-power campaign he backed was entirely voluntary and received no funding from either the government or any other source.
