D’banj breaks silence on detention by ICPC over alleged N-Power fraud

Music star D’banj has denied any complicity in the fraud allegations against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

ENTERTAINMENT REPORTERNG on Wednesday reported that D’banj was detained by the ICPC for allegedly collaborating with some government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the N-Power scheme in order to divert funds.

The ICPC spokesperson Azuka Ogugua also confirmed he is under investigation for allegedly diverting funds released for the federal government’s N-Power project.

But in a statement on Wednesday, Maryam El-Yakub Musa, a legal representative of the singer, denied that the 42-year-old had any connection to the fraud or the government officials.

The statement read: “We acknowledge the fact that the ICPC is currently investigating allegations of diversion of N-POWER funds as already stated by the commission.

“We continue to hold the expectation that the Commission will stay the course of professionalism in this matter. 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, Dbanj and his management do not engage in business dealings unless they are legitimate, properly documented, and obtainable in law.”

On the allegation that D’banj failed to honour ICPC’s invitations, the lawyer said the singer was out of the country and willingly reported himself to the commission on his arrival in Abuja.

“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 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.“D’banj has encouraged the commission to carry out its investigation thoroughly to ensure that characters attempting to bring him into such ridiculous activities must be brought to book.

“It is inconceivable that D’banj whose very 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,” the lawyer added.