By Matthew Tabe
Three days after his detention in their custody, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has decided to release pop-star and entertainer Oladapo Oyebanjo, popularly known by his stage name D’banj.
The ICPC released the music star on grounds that he may be summoned later for further investigations, Quest Times reliably gathered.
Recall that D’banj’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who announced the development on Friday, said the musician was released on self-recognition.
Olajengbesi in a statement on Thursday said D’Banj, who was arrested by the anti-graft agency on Tuesday, was innocent of the allegations of fund diversion regarding the federal government’s social empowerment programme–‘N-Power Scheme.’
This was also as he demanded that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs should make public the names of government officials allegedly involved with D’Banj in the alleged fraud.
But sharing the news of the singer’s release on his Facebook page and a statement on Friday, Olajengbesi explained that nothing incriminating was found on D’banj.
The statement reads: “After 72 hours of unfair detention and false allegation against Mr. Daniel Oladapo (D’banj), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Friday afternoon released the popular singer.
“Nigerians must be told the truth that D’banj is clean and has no criminal or fraud record. It is however an embarrassment to the entire country that such a huge allegation of N900m fraud against a public figure was made without any evidence.
“The ICPC Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN) and the entire officers of the ICPC must be deeply sad and embarrassed also that their decent organization was used for such a shameful publicity against an innocent man. Only few organizations and persons stood and waited to verify the claims. This form of media trial is evil.
“The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, who claimed to have instructed the ICPC to detain D’banj, must now be ready to explain to the world the money traced to his account and the amount.
“We still demand that the minister provide the details of the government authority D’banj allegedly collaborated with and provide the account and N-power funds allegedly traced to Dbanj’s account.
“This is injustice and upon the instruction of our client, we may head to court to seek redress, a public apology and compensation from the ICPC. The detention of D’banj is an injustice, having found that the ICPC found nothing incriminating traced to his innocent personality.
“This is to say a big thank you to Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and my Learned Senior Barr. Babs Akinwumi for the leadership.”