Nigeria’s Afrobeat Star D’Banj Arrested and Detained Over Alleged Fraud

Nigeria’s Afrobeat singer Oladapo Oyebanji with the stage name D’Banj has been arrested and detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). According to the commission, the Nigerian artiste was arrested without administrative bail over allegedly diverting Nigeria’s N-Power project funds which run into millions of naira.

From the investigation of the ICPC, the pop star, in alliance with some corrupt government officials, set up ghost beneficiaries in the N-power program organised by the federal government in 2016 to address youth unemployment and social development in the country. During the investigation, the commission traced some ghost beneficiaries’ accounts to the artiste.

This led to the summon of the artiste for questioning, which proved abortive as he claimed to be out of the country until he was forced to surrender himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

Following this, the commission refused to release D’banj based on bail. According to the commission, it does not trust the artiste to appear before the court if released on bail. ICPC intends to ask the court for an extended remand order, according to sources, so that the agency can finish its investigation before charging the musician in court.

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Oladapo Oyebanji known as D’Banj (Kokomaster)

Like some other known celebrities, being arrested and detained is not the first controversy in the life of D’Banj. In 2020, the artiste was accused by Seyitan Babatayo of allegedly raping her. Despite social media awareness, the case remains inconclusive. According to D’Banj, “False allegations and lies from the pit of hell.”

Apart from the controversy, the Nigerian artiste D’Banj has made a name for himself in the music industry, locally and internationally. Starting his career in 2004, the music star has been active and involved in different movements.

This includes the Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development and his contribution to Africa through his music which World Bank Chief Jim Yong Kim recognised. Kim said, “I had the pleasure of meeting D’banj last month and seeing him perform. I’m thrilled he is the first to participate in our new Music4Dev series encouraging global artists to raise awareness about poverty and related issues.”

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