Afropop artist, Dapo Oyebanjo, aka D’Banj, has been taken into custody by Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) on suspicion of fraud and other charges.
D’Banj allegedly conspired with some government representatives to divert money intended for the government’s N-Power initiative for youth empowerment.
According to reports, D’Banj collaborated with government representatives to add phantom beneficiaries to the scheme’s payroll, diverting millions of Naira in the process.
However, it was claimed that the funds taken from the scheme were put into an account connected to D’Banj.
Until the ICPC issued a warrant for his arrest anywhere in Nigeria or abroad, according to an insider, D’Banj refused to be questioned by the commission, citing his travels abroad and performances outside the country as justifications. This forced him to appear at the commission’s office on Tuesday.
Bail has reportedly been rejected for D’Banj.
However, neither Azuka Ogugua, a spokesperson for the ICPC, nor a representative of D’banj’s team have issued an official statement.