He is one of the most highly respected Nigerian pop stars, with a clean reputation and a great sense of style. Singer and songwriter D'banj, real name Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo seems to have soiled his reputation slightly and might have gotten himself into trouble after reports of an alleged arrest resurfaced recently. The Oliver Twist singer is said to have been held in custody on charges of fraud after being accused of conniving with some corrupt government officials and diverting hundreds of thousands of naira in 2016. The singer and some government officials were alleged to have introduced non-existent beneficiaries into the payroll of the funds and the money was later traced to accounts associated with the singer.?

THE ARREST?

D'banj has since broken his silence over his allegations by Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and says the reports were "misconceived, mischievous and prejudicial to the justice system anywhere in the world," he wrote in a statement released by his lawyer, Maryam Musa. "The media is awash with reports of Oladapo Oyebanjo, Dbanj, in ICPC custody, with regard to unestablished allegations of fraud for which it has become crucial to make the following statement, for the purpose of clarity and to set public records straight," Maryam adds. "It is instructive to state foremost that the report concerning the arrest and detention of Oyebanjo is misconceived, malicious, and prejudicial to the justice system anywhere in the world, and we would advise that the general public be well guided." Maryam and D'banj acknowledge the fact that the ICPC is currently investigating allegations of diversion of N-Powerfunds. "As already stated by the commission. We continue to hold the expectation that the commission will stay the course of professionalism in this matter," she adds. "For the record, D'banj has no such contractual or incidental relationship whatsoever with any group or persons within or outside government, in relation to the disbursement, operations, access, or control of the operation of any government fund through an agency or its subsidiaries. Emphatically and as a matter of policy, D'banj and his management do not engage in business dealings unless they are legitimate, properly documented, and obtainable in law."

D'BANJCALLED IN BY ICPC ?

The statement also reveals that D'banj was called in by ICPC for probing. "D'banj was officially invited by the ICPC in respect of the investigation a month ago, however, he sent in letters through his Attorneys to the Commission in respect of his schedule in South Africa and promised to visit the Commission when here turned," his legal team states. "On Monday, the 5th of December, 2022, D'banj freely and of his law-abiding accord went to the Commission at about 2 pm immediately after he arrived in Abuja. The Officers of the Commission advised that he returned the following day as it was late for an interview on the said Monday," reads the statement.