Recall that the self-acclaimed ‘koko master’ was detained by the commission on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, after he had been questioned over his involvement in the alleged diversion of funds meant for the Federal Government’s economic empowerment programme, N-Power.

On his part, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the lawyer to popular singer, Oladapo Oyebanjo, aka D’banj, said his client was released unconditionally by the commission.

However, the ICPC, through its spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, maintained that the anti-graft agency was still investigating the matter.

“Investigations are still ongoing, please,” Ogugua said.

D’banj’s lawyers told Saturday Beats, “D’banj was released unconditionally after the ICPC did all they could to find something on him, but they found nothing on him.

“ICPC only started the investigation when D’banj was detained. They found nothing on him after he was properly questioned and drilled. They had to even go beyond the scope of their investigation, yet they found nothing. We are glad that they were professional about it. They treated him kindly and released him. He was released on self-recognisance.”

The lawyer insisted that there was no case in court. He said, “There is no case in court, D’banj was not charged to court by the ICPC. They can decide to come up with anything tomorrow, as it is within their power and responsibility. They are still doing their investigations and we expect them to clear him officially when they are done with it.”

D’banj was reportedly detained by the ICPC on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, after being questioned by officials of the commission.

In a statement released by the singer’s lawyers, Law Corridor, it described reports of D’banj’s arrest as “malicious and prejudicial.”

The statement titled, ‘D’banj encourages ICPC to do its investigation and cautions against media trial’, and signed by Maryam Musa, the law firm’s assistant team head, litigation, read, “The media is awash with reports of Oladapo Oyebanjo (D’banj) in ICPC custody with regards to unestablished (sic) 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.

It is instructive to state foremost that the report concerning the arrest and detention of Mr Oladapo 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.”
However, the singer’s solicitors admitted that the ICPC was currently investigating allegations of diversion of N-POWER funds, adding that they believed the commission will stay the course of professionalism in the matter.

The statement also claimed that D’banj did not have any ‘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’.

It added, “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.”

Reacting to the ICPC’s claim that the singer had been invited severally for questioning but failed to show up at the commission’s office until he was threatened with an arrest, the statement read, “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 he returned.

On Monday, December 5, 2022, D’banj freely and of his law-abiding accord went to the commission at about 2pm immediately he arrived Abuja. The officers of the commission advised that he returned the following day, as it was late for any interview on the said Monday.

“D’banj returned to the commission the following day as earlier agreed and voluntarily submitted himself to the commission to make their inquiry and investigation.”

Urging the ICPC to carry out a thorough investigation, the singer’s lawyers stated that characters attempting to bring him (D’banj) into such ridiculous activities must be brought to book.

It added, “It is inconceivable that D’banj whose career is a reference point for hard work, diligence and honesty would lend his reputation built steadfastly over the years to acts of such accusations which he must now stoically suffer through while clearing his name.

“The general public is advised to resist the urge to buy into media sensationalism, which is unsurprising but regardless harmful to the course for the truth which D’banj has willing set himself on by honouring the ICPC’s summons.

“We retain the hope that the thoroughness of the ICPC will in no time exonerate D’banj of all allegations levelled against his person, and it is for this reason that we implore the general public to stay guarded against malicious traducers who may be attempting to soil his image for their own purposes.”