ICPC Detain Singer D’banj in Connection to N-Power Fraud
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; ICPC has confirmed the detention of Nigerian Pop star, D’Banj, real name Oladipo Oyebanjo, over allegations of fraud associated with the N-Power programme.
The spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Azuka Ogugua, in a statement, noted that investigation was ongoing into the matter.
The N-Power was a scheme established by the regime of the President, President Muhammadu Buhari on June 8, 2016, to address youth unemployment and help increase social development.
Ogugua said, “In line with its mandate, the commission received numerous petitions on the diversion of N-Power funds running into billions of naira following the approval and release of such funds to the beneficiaries by the Federal Government.
“Many N-Power beneficiaries had complained over the non-receipt of the monthly funds in spite of payment by the government.”
Ogugua noted that about 10 persons had been invited by the ICPC over the last few months in connection with the fraud and granted administrative bail.
She said several invitations to Oyebanjo to appear before a team of investigators were ignored.
“Mr Oyebanjo turned himself in and was taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, and is currently assisting investigators to unravel the circumstances of the fraud allegations by the petitioners.
“The investigation will be all-encompassing and extended to other collaborators of the fraud and the banks where the beneficiaries’ accounts are domiciled,” Ogugua added.
The artiste’s lawyer, Maryam Musa, in a statement, described reports of his arrest as “misconceived, malicious and prejudicial to the justice system.”
The statement read in part, “D’banj has no such contractual or incidental relationship whatsoever with any group or persons within or outside government in relation to the disbursement, operation, access or control of the operation of any government fund through an agency or its subsidiaries.
“D’banj has encouraged the commission to carry out its investigation thoroughly to ensure that characters attempting to bring him into such ridiculous activities are brought to book.
“The general public is advised to resist the urge to buy into media sensationalism which is unsurprising but regardless harmful to the course of the truth which D’banj has willingly 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 and every allegation levelled against his person…”
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, on Wednesday, said it reported the sharp practices perpetrated by some payment service providers of its N-Power programme.
The ministry also said it never announced anyone as an ambassador of the National Social Investment Programme, which had the N-Power scheme as one of its arms.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Sani Gwarzo, said, “We are aware that certain persons have consequently been invited for interrogation as part of the ongoing investigations. In the meantime, we have carried out thorough reinforcement of our systems to eliminate all anomalies and prevent similar occurrences in the future.”
Teni In Social Media Storm Over Conduct at National Awards
Afrobeat artiste Teniola Apata, popularly known as “Teni Makanaki” has been caught in a huge social media storm after she appeared to have walked away from President Muhammadu Buhari without shaking hands or curtseying after receiving her Member of the Order of Niger (MON) award.
Videos emerged showing Teni dressed in a trousers suit walking with a mannerism that suggested displeasure, then abruptly walking away after picking up the award.
She has since gotten criticism and support from social media.
Asa Sues Joeboy for 300 Million, Over Copyright Infringements
Nigerian singer and songwriter Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Asa, has sued new pop sensation, Joeboy over unauthorised use of her intellectual property without permission.
In a copyright infringement notice drafted and shared by her legal counsels dated September 30, Asa accused Joeboy of using her musical composition without permission.According to the details of the suit, the Asa composition Joeboy was accused of stealing was used on his new song ‘Contour’.
In the suit, Asa claims that she had created the composition on 22, September 2020 during a recording session with Tempoe, the producer of ‘Contour’.
However, the composition, according to the suit, ended up on Joeboy’s ‘Contour’ without Asa’s prior knowledge or permission.
Asa wants the song removed from all digital platforms within 24hrs and also asks that the sum of 300,000,000 naira be paid as well as 60% publishing split on the song.
