The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arrested and detained Oladapo Oyebanji, better known as D'banj.
The musician was arrested and detained Tuesday after ICPC operatives closed in on him, forcing him to surrender himself at the agency's headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Insiders said D'banj had evaded summons for weeks, claiming to be overseas for scheduled concerts each time he was summoned for questioning on a fraud allegation.
The wealthy Nigerian celebrity is accused of fraudulently diverting hundreds of millions of naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for the N-Power project, an empowerment program established by the Nigerian government in 2016 to address youth unemployment.
Investigators allege that D’banj colluded with some compromised government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the scheme. The stipend paid to those beneficiaries are then paid to accounts that have now allegedly been linked to the pop star.
After the musician failed to show up for interrogation despite multiple invitations, the ICPC moved to arrest him anywhere in Nigeria and abroad, forcing him to show up at the commission’s office on Tuesday.
On arrival, D’banj was subjected to a prolonged interrogation session after which he was detained. His plea for administrative bail was rejected by officials who said the musician could not be trusted to attend his trial if released on bail.
Our sources said the ICPC might approach the court on Wednesday for an extended remand order to enable the agency complete its investigation before charging the musician to court.
The spokesperson for the ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, could not be reached to comment for this story. She is said to be attending a programme abroad. Being in detention, the musician too could not be reached for comment