The Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have officially cleared popular Nigerian singer Dapo Oyebanjo, widely known as D’banj, of rape and fraud allegations. The police investigation, ordered by the Inspector General of Police in 2020 following a rape accusation against the artist, concluded with a report dated November 14, 2023. The report, signed by ACP YY Abubakar of the Special Enquiry Bureau at the Force Criminal Investigations Department, stated that after thorough examination, there was no substantial evidence to support the rape allegation.
The investigation encompassed statements from the complainant, witnesses, and suspects, including an inquiry into the Glee Hotel Lagos, where the alleged incident occurred. The hotel’s management denied the claims, asserting that D’banj was not present on the stated date, and provided key details that debunked the complainant’s allegations. Moreover, the complainant voluntarily withdrew the petition, leading to the discontinuation of the investigation. “The allegation was investigated. The complainant, witnesses, and suspects made their statements. The investigation was extended to the Glee Hotel Lagos, where the staff on duty on the date of the alleged incident made their statement. The management and staff of the Glee Hotel averred that the first suspect was not seen in the hotel on the date of the alleged incident, nor was he given a spare key to gain access to any room in the hotel where the complainant lodged, and they have only one key to each room, which completely debunked the allegation of the complainant. The management of the hotel also held that it had no record to show that the complainant checked into the hotel as a guest on the alleged date, and she did not, at any time, raise an alarm, complain, or report any indecent assault or rape. There is no medical report on the victim to ascertain that she was raped. There are no adduced facts or corroborative evidence to substantiate the allegation of rape against the suspect. Prima facie offences of indecent assault, rape, and intimidation are not made out. However, the complainant, through her counsel, Ojoge, Omileye & Partners, submitted a letter, dated July 17, 2020, to the DIG Force CID, to voluntarily withdraw the petition and discontinue the investigation.” the police report read in part. In a separate matter, the ICPC had accused D’banj of diverting funds associated with the N-Power Programme of the Federal Government in 2022. However, the ICPC’s investigation yielded no evidence of fraud. A document dated November 29, 2023, with the reference number ICPC/OPS/SDD/SPT.LG/31/23, clarified that there was no prima facie case of fraud against the artist. D’banj’s legal representative, in a deposition before the Chief District Court of the Federal Capital Territory, emphasized that the artist had never held a government position or accessed government funds. “The commission investigated issues of fraud in the administration of the N-POWER Scheme, where Mr Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo’s name came up. However, there was no prima facie case of fraud against him. Kindly be advised that Mr Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo is not under investigation with the Commission for any fraud-related offence,” the ICPC clearance partly read. The lawyer affirmed that D’banj’s involvement in the N-power campaign was voluntary and unpaid.
Former minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika When contacted, the spokesman of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that there was an ongoing investigation but could not give further details. “I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation in that regard,” he said. Competent sources told THISDAY that the commission would look at the N3 billion sunk into the project though some stakeholders insisted that over N80 billion was expended on the project. The minister had, at the twilight of the Buhari’s administration, caused the supposed launch of the Nigerian Air in Abuja using an Ethiopian aircraft. Recall that during the hearing in the House of Representatives, the Chairman, of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Honourable Nnolim Nnaji tagged the deal about Nigeria Air as a fraud. Sirika was also accused by the acting managing director of Nigeria Air, Captain Dapo Olumide of imposing a fraudulent deal on the nation through the formation of the airline. Dapo while appearing before the Senate Committee on Aviation revealed that the aircraft reportedly brought into the country penultimate week as belonging to the airline was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines to show off. This led to calls from many Nigerians demanding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC investigate Sirika over the allegations. However, speaking for the first time since the national outburst against him over the airline deal on Arise News Television last weeek, Sirika alleged that the lawmaker approached him and asked for five per cent shares of the airline for “him and his people”. “Hon Nnaji asked me that I should give him 5% of Nigeria to carry him along with his people, and I said to him at that time that honourable, you didn’t understand me. This is a bidding process that has taken place. And some people won, So I think he should go to those people and ask for the 5 per cent.” 
Former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika Sirika was also accused by the acting managing director of Nigeria Air, Captain Dapo Olumide of imposing a fraudulent deal on the nation through the formation of the airline. Dapo while appearing before the Senate Committee on Aviation revealed that the aircraft reportedly brought into the country penultimate week as belonging to the airline was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines to show off. This led to calls from many Nigerians demanding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC investigate Sirika over the allegations. However, speaking for the first time since the national outburst against him over the airline deal on Arise News Television on Sunday, Sirika alleged that the lawmaker approached him and asked for five per cent shares of the airline for “him and his people”. “Hon Nnaji asked me that I should give him 5% of Nigeria to carry him along with his people, and I said to him at that time that honourable, you didn’t understand me. This is a bidding process that has taken place. And some people won, So I think he should go to those people and ask for the 5 per cent.” Watch Video here: House of Reps member who announced that Nigerian Air as fraud asked me for a bribe – Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika says pic.twitter.com/3nfIzy583P — GistReel.Com (@GistReel) June 11, 2023 Meanwhile, Nnaji in a swift reaction to Sirika’s bribery allegations denied ever asking for five per cent of the deal, insisting that the former minister of Aviation, Sirika, ‘is a drowning man struggling to grab anything on his way to survive the barrage of attacks he has been receiving since his controversial unveiling ceremony of the so-called Nigeria Air.’ 
The crossdresser identified as Gabriel was arrested alongside his other accomplices; Salaudeen Hammed, Akinsanya Olamilekan, Olamofe Joshua, Akindele Saheed, Damilare Micheal, Patoki Ayomiku, Olakunle Ismail, Babalola Ayomide, Afolabi Olaibola, Abiodun Olayinka, Samuel Ogunyemi, Adebayo Olarewaju, Abdul-Fatai Olawale and Hassan Ayofe. Others are Samson Jeremiah, Kolawole Afeez, Owoseni Gabriel, Makinde Oluwasegun, Daniel Seun, Adefolahan Isreal, Olusegun Emmanuel, Olawore Micheal, Hammed Raheem, Micheal Tunde, Francis Chibundu, Jesse Oluwatobiloba, Adenekan Ayotunde, Qudus Adeyi, Sulaimon Oladimeji, Kayode Sunday, Daniel Owosine, and Boluwatife Gbolahan. Items recovered from the suspects include a Toyota Camry 2005 model, a Toyota Camry 2009 model, mobile phones, and laptop computers. 
