Music star, Daniel Oyebanji better known as D’banj, has been released from custody of the Independent Corrupt Practises and other offences Related Commission (ICPC).
D’banj has been in custody since Tuesday when he was arrested on allegation bothering of diversion of N-Power funds.
The N-Power is a scheme established by President Muhammadu Buhari to address the issues of youth unemployment and empowerment, and help increase social development.
The music star was said to have connived with some officials to divert monies meant for beneficiaries of the scheme, an allegation he denied through his lawyer.
However, after days of grilling, D’banj was granted bail.
An ICPC source told Daily Trust that the artiste was allowed to leave the commission’s headquarters on Friday after he fulfilled his bail condition.
On Thursday, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Managing Partner at Law Corridor who is also D’banj’s counsel, had accused the ICPC of detaining the singer for more than the required 48 hours.
“It has become necessary in the interest of justice and for public record to make known the following facts with regard to the false allegation against Mr. Daniel Oladapo (D’banj) especially as his immediate release has become expedient under the law and constitutional convention having satisfactorily cooperated with Commission’s investigation within the last 48 hours.”
“Investigators of the Commission have between December 6 and 7, 2022, thoroughly examined D’banj’s honest and straightforward answers to all its inquiries to the mutual satisfaction of the Commission and his legal representatives.
“That D’banj has dutifully cooperated with the Commission in the course of their investigation and demonstrated a shared zeal to help the Commission make its impassioned and honest findings on the matter as he is interested in clearing his name as well,” the lawyer had said.
But in a statement on Friday, Olajengbesi said his client had been released after nothing was found on him.
“DBANJ released on self recognizance after ICPC could not find anything incriminating on him. He is clean. It is an embarrassment to the entire country that such a huge allegation of 900m Naira without any evidence, yet made public unconfirmed.
“The Chairman and entire officers of 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. Nigeria is evil.
“The Minister that claimed to have instructed ICPC, when she only cashed into already ongoing investigation must now be ready to explain to world. We still demand, provide the details of the government authority he allegedly collaborated with, provide the account and amount allegedly traced to Dbanj’s account. This is to say big thank you to Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN and my Learned Senior Barr. Babs for the leadership. Special thanks to all officers of ICPC for treating Dbanj kindly through his stay. Dbanj, chop life!”
Daily Trust