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Tag: ICPC

  • BREAKING: Days after arrest, ICPC releases D’Banj

    BREAKING: Days after arrest, ICPC releases D’Banj

    After almost 72 hours in custody, popular singer Oladapo ‘D’banj’ Oyebanjo, has been released by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    According to reports, D’Banj, arrested and detained by the ICPC on Tuesday over ongoing investigation into the diversion of N-Power programme funds, was released on Friday afternoon.

    The ICPC disclosed that about 10 persons have been invited over the last few months in connection with the N-Power fraud, and have been granted administrative bail after their detention.

    The Commission also disclosed that D’Banj has made statements to assist investigators to unravel the circumstances of the fraud allegations by the petitioners. The investigation followed numerous petitions on the diversion of N-Power funds running into billions of naira.

    The N-Power is a scheme established by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 8, 2016, to empower unemployed graduates.

  • D’Banj’s lawyer demands his release, appeals to National Assembly to wade in

    D’Banj’s lawyer demands his release, appeals to National Assembly to wade in

    The lawyer representing Oladapo Oyebanji popularly known as D’banj,  has demanded the immediate release of his client, saying that the artiste does not have a hand in the allegations levelled against him by independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

    Barrister, Pelumi Olajengbesi has also appealed to the country’s National Assembly to wade into the matter as soon as possible.

    He also challenged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to reveal the identities of the persons the singer allegedly colluded with.

    ICPC had on Wednesday issued a statement indicting the artiste, saying he was detained over an alleged diversion of N-Power funds.

    He was accused of conniving with some corrupt government officials to divert hundreds of thousands of naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, to address youth unemployment and increase social development.

    The why me  crooner, alongside the corrupt government officials, were said to have introduced ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the funds, and the monies were later traced to accounts associated with the singer.

    Part of the statement read: “We, in the same vein, reiterate that D’banj has no such access nor colluded with any government officials over any dubious transaction. The very allegation is a nightmare that must be dissipated by an assertion of the truth of D’banj’s unimpeachable innocence.”

  • Humanitarian Minister opens up on arrest of D’Banj

    Humanitarian Minister opens up on arrest of D’Banj

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq has opened up on the detention of Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’Banj.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports D’Banj was held and detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) over allegations of embezzling funds meant for N-Power beneficiaries.

    Farouq pledged to support the ICPC in its investigation of the alleged fraud in the N-Power Programme and assured beneficiaries of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), especially the N-Power that in spite of allegations of fraud, the Ministry was committed to continuity.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo on Wednesday in Abuja.

    She said ​the ministry’s attention was brought to a recent publication regarding ongoing investigations in relation to fraud allegations in the Programme.

    “​The ministry has deployed a well-rounded mechanism for the selection of eligible beneficiaries from across the country, adding that this has been in place since the inception of the programme.

    “Working with our service provider, program beneficiaries are onboarded, trained and deployed to pre-selected Places of Primary Assignment.

    “When it came to our notice that there may have been sharp practices by some personnel of the Payment Service Provider (PSP) involved in the payment processes of beneficiaries, the matter was immediately referred to ICPC for thorough investigation.

    “We are aware that certain persons have consequently been invited as part of the ongoing investigations. We want to commend the ICPC for the remarkable job they are doing to address the issue of alleged fraud discovered in the N-Power programme,” Farouq said.

    She stressed that the ministry and its partners have carried out thorough reinforcement of their systems to eliminate all anomalies and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

    The minister added that to this end her ministry is in close collaboration with ICPC to support the successful determination of the investigation.

    “However, In a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of N-Power and other NSIPs, the Ministry has over time involved other government MDA’s, Security Agencies and Civil Society Organisations in monitoring and compliance checks across the 36 states of the country and the FCT.

    “We want to assure all N-POWER beneficiaries of Federal Government’s continued commitment to the programme and the subsequent exit/off-boarding channels activated.

    “All programme beneficiaries should therefore continue to apply themselves to their utmost at their Places of Primary Assignment. All monthly stipends will continue to be paid in line with program expectations,” she said.

    Farouq further called on members of the public to come forward with information on any irregularities noticed in the implementation of the NSIP through the following channels; Email: npowersupport@nsip.gov.ng, npowerinfo@nsip.gov.ng Phone: 0700 CALL NSIP, 070022556747 or 07030859183- WhatsApp.

  • Seun Kuti spits fire over fraud allegation against D’Banj by ICPC

    Seun Kuti spits fire over fraud allegation against D’Banj by ICPC

    Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, has reacted to the arrest of his colleague, D’banj, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that D’banj surrendered himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday following his invitation to answer on fraud allegation.

    The 42-year-old, whose real name is Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo,  is being accused of fraudulently diverting hundreds of naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for the N-Power project.

    Reacting to the development in the comment section of media personality, Daddy Freeze’s Instagram post, on Wednesday, Seun stated that the Nigerian entertainment industry is a scam for money laundering.

    He wrote: “We have always said there is no way they are doing anything as politicians without the active connivance of the leading blacks! So na today we know say Nigerian entertainment na scam for money laundering?”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that D’Banj is a co-founder of Mo’ Hits Records with producer Don Jazzy. He has won several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Music awards.

    He adopted the stage name D’Banj, a combination of his first name, Dapo, and his surname, Oyebanjo.

    D’banj is best known internationally for his 2012 summer hit “Oliver Twist”, an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeats and electronic dance music that topped the African charts in 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart.

    The Afrobeat singer said the year 2021 would be marked in Grand styles and he would release his album titled “Ikebe” before the end of the first quarter.

    He also shared a healthy rivalry with another Nigerian great artiste, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face or 2Baba, which helped in keeping him on his toes to always create good music for years before he was signed to Kenya West G.O.O.D Music Record Label in June 2011.

  • D’banj finally speaks on arrest by ICPC over N-Power fraud

    D’banj finally speaks on arrest by ICPC over N-Power fraud

    Popular Nigerian musician, Oladapo Oyebanjo, better known as D’Banj, has opened up on the allegation of fraud leveled against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, which led to his arrest, asserting that he is not a fraudster and only engaged in a legitimate business.

    Recall that the ICPC had earlier on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of the Oliver twist crooner, saying that he was brought in after snubbing several invitations by the ICPC to be interrogated by a team of investigators.

    The ICPC said the investigations would be all-encompassing and extended to other collaborators of the fraud and the banks where the beneficiaries’ accounts are domiciled.

    However, in a statement on Wednesday, Assistant Team Head, Litigation, Law Corridor, Maryam Musa, rose to his client’s defense and said D’Banj only engaged in legitimate businesses.

    Musa said, “As a matter of policy, D’banj and his management do not engage in business dealings, unless they are legitimate, adequately documented and obtainable in law.”

    D’banj returned to the Commission the following day Tuesday the 6th of December, 2022 as earlier agreed and voluntarily submitted himself to the Commission

    Speaking on the arrest of D’banj, she said: “Dbanj was officially invited by the ICPC in respect of the investigation a month ago, he sent in letters through his attorneys to the commission in care 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 2pm immediately after he arrived in Abuja. The Officers of the Commission advised that he returned the following day as it was late for any interview on said Monday.

    “D’banj returned to the Commission the following day Tuesday the 6th of December, 2022 as earlier agreed and voluntarily submitted himself to the Commission to make their inquiry and investigation.”

    According to Musa, D’banj encouraged the Commission to carry out its investigation thoroughly to ensure that characters attempting to bring him into “ridiculous” activities are 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 which he must now stoically suffer through while clearing his name.

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

  • What we know about D’Banj’s involvement in N-Power

    What we know about D’Banj’s involvement in N-Power

    Nigerian singer and rapper, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’Banj was held and detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports D’Banj was reported to have turned himself in at ICPC’s headquarters in Abuja where he is being detained after operatives of the agency closed in on him for alleged involvement in fraudulently diverting hundreds of millions of Naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for the N-Power programme.

    The N-Power programme, one of the four main programmes under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), is an empowerment programme set up by the Nigerian government in 2016 to address youth unemployment and increase social development.

    The programme is designed to target Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35 and aims to help young Nigerians acquire and develop life-long skills to become practical solution providers in their communities, enabling them to become innovative players in the domestic and global markets.

    In 2021, D’banj was named brand ambassador for NSIP, which components also include the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (CCTP), Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP).

    TNG recalls that the Afrobeats star was one of many high-profile personalities at the launch of a new NSIP programme spearheaded by Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya, Umar Farouq.

    D’Banj joined in unveiling the N-Power Batch C1 that year when he disclosed: “One million youths will be carefully selected and will be given N30,000 each month for the period of a year while they sharpen their proficiency in their chosen field of choice”.

    At the time D’Banj added: “We cannot do enough to eradicate poverty, but as an ambassador, I am dedicated to this vision and open for creative ideas and strategies to bring down the walls of poverty in Nigeria.

    “My heartfelt congratulations to the 500,000 beneficiaries of Stream 1 of Batch C. I also indulge them to make the most of this opportunity. Congratulations and God bless the honourable minister and each ministry fighting the good fight against poverty.”

     

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    A post shared by Daniel Banjo (@iambangalee)

    After discrepancies were unravelled in the management of accounts reportedly under the purview of D’Banj, the musician, according to sources, failed to show up for interrogation despite multiple invitations, forcing the ICPC into making moves to arrest the Afrobeats star anywhere in Nigeria and abroad.

    D’banj, insiders said, had dodged summons for weeks, claiming to be overseas for scheduled concerts each time he was invited to appear for interrogation over the fraud allegations.

    Why we are detaining D’Banj – ICPC

    Meanwhile, the ICPC has confirmed the detention of D’Banj. Mrs Azuka Ogugua, the ICPC’s spokesperson said this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja. Ogugua said that the investigation followed numerous petitions on the diversion of N-Power funds running into billions of naira.

    She said many N-Power beneficiaries had complained over the non-receipt of the monthly stipends in spite of payment by the Federal Government.

    “About 10 persons have been invited by the ICPC over the last few months in connection with the N-Power fraud, and have been granted administrative bail after their detention. Several invitations to Oyebanjo to appear before a team of investigators were ignored and not honoured.

    “Oyebanjo turned in himself and was taken into custody at the ICPC Headquarters on Tuesday, December 6,  2022, and is currently assisting the investigators to unravel the circumstances of the fraud allegations by the petitioners.

    “The investigation will be all-encompassing and also be extended to other collaborators of the fraud and the banks where the beneficiaries’ accounts are domiciled. This press release has become necessary to set the record straight in view of the reports awash in the media,” she said.

    According to her, an investigation is ongoing and the commission prefers not to preempt its outcome in order to avoid a media trial.

    TNG reports that the N-Power scheme established by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 8, 2016, to empower unemployed graduates, is currently getting legislative attention at the National Assembly (NASS).

    President Buhari sent a bill, known as NSIP Bill, to the Senate seeking to provide a legal and institutional framework for the programme

  • Why we are detaining D’Banj – ICPC

    Why we are detaining D’Banj – ICPC

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the detention of Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as  D’Banj over an ongoing investigation into the diversion of N-Power programme funds.

    Mrs Azuka Ogugua, the Commission’s spokesperson said this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Ogugua said that the investigation followed numerous petitions on the diversion of N-Power funds running into billions of naira.

    She said many N-Power beneficiaries had complained over the non-receipt of the monthly stipends in spite of payment by the Federal Government.

    “About 10 persons have been invited by the ICPC over the last few months in connection with the N-Power fraud, and have been granted administrative bail after their detention.

    “Several invitations to Oyebanjo to appear before a team of investigators were ignored and not honoured.

    “Oyebanjo turned in himself and was taken into custody at the ICPC Headquarters on Tuesday, December 6,  2022, and is currently assisting the investigators to unravel the circumstances of the fraud allegations by the petitioners.

    “The investigation will be all-encompassing and also be extended to other collaborators of the fraud and the banks where the beneficiaries’ accounts are domiciled.

    “This press release has become necessary to set the record straight in view of the reports awash in the media,” she said.

    According to her, the investigation is ongoing and the commission prefers not to preempt its outcome in order to avoid a media trial.

    The N-Power is a scheme established by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 8, 2016, to empower unemployed graduates.

  • Just In: Popular musician, D’banj arrested for N-Power fraud

    Just In: Popular musician, D’banj arrested for N-Power fraud

    Popular Nigerian musician Oladapo Oyebanji, popularly known as D’banj, has been arrested and detained by Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    According to Premium Times, the 42-year-old was arrested and detained on Tuesday after ICPC operatives closed in on him, forcing him to surrender himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

    D’banj, insiders said, had dodged summons for weeks, claiming to be overseas for scheduled concerts each time he was invited to appear for interrogation over fraud allegation.

    The pop star, a wealthy Nigerian celebrity, is accused of fraudulently diverting hundreds of millions naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up by the Nigerian government in 2016 to address youth unemployment and increase social development.

    Investigators allege that D’banj colluded with some compromised government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the scheme. The stipend paid to those beneficiaries are then paid to accounts that have now allegedly been linked to the pop star.

    After the musician failed to show up for interrogation despite multiple invitations, the ICPC moved to arrest him anywhere in Nigeria and abroad, forcing him to show up at the commission’s office on Tuesday.

    On arrival, D’banj was subjected to a prolonged interrogation session after which he was detained. His plea for administrative bail was rejected by officials who said the musician could not be trusted to attend his trial if released on bail.

  • It’s impossible to divert LG allocations without EFCC, ICPC knowledge – Shehu Sani

    It’s impossible to divert LG allocations without EFCC, ICPC knowledge – Shehu Sani

    Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has accused anti-corruption agencies, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of the diversion of local governments allocations to state governments.

    Recall that the Federal Government recently accused state governors of diverting local governments’ allocations.

    Senator Sani reacted on Sunday in a post via his verified Twitter handle.

    He wrote: “It’s impossible to divert local government allocations to state Governments without the knowledge of the anti-corruption agencies.

    “No huge sum of money can move within the banking system without their eagle or prying eyes. If they want to stop it they can.”

  • Naira redesign: Anyone who withdraws huge cash would be interrogated – CBN

    Naira redesign: Anyone who withdraws huge cash would be interrogated – CBN

    Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has said with the introduction of the redesigned Naira notes, no individual or organisation will be allowed to withdraw huge cash without being interrogated by relevant anti-corruption agencies.

    Emefiele stated this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents on Wednesday in Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier on Wednesday inaugurated the new Naira banknotes of N200, N500 and N1,000, expressing delight that the redesigned currencies were locally produced by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting (NSPM) PLC.

    However, the CBN governor said that with the redesign of the Naira note, the CBN would ensure full implementation of the cashless economic system across the country.

    ”We will insist that cashless would be nationwide. We will restrict the volume of cash that people can withdraw over the counter.

    ”If you need to withdraw large volume of cash, you will fill uncountable forms. We will take your data, whether it is your BVN, your NIN so that enforcement agencies like EFCC or ICPC can follow you and be sure that you are taking that money for good purpose.

    ”We have to work as a country, Nigeria is the biggest country both in population and economy in Africa and we have to ensure that we do things the right way that also positions us as leader in Africa and one of the leading countries in the world.

    ”We must do things right and I think it would start from today.”

    According to Emefiele, many countries, especially the advanced ones have far gone cashless and Nigeria must not be left behind.

    He said: ”In other countries you will find, say in the US, if you want to withdraw US$10,000 from the counter, you will be interrogated, you will fill numerous forms, they will even track the use of that US$10,000 cash that you are withdrawing.

    ”Or you want to withdraw £10,000 from the counter, they will refuse and if you insist then you will fill forms.

    ”The problems we have had in the past is that we say this is a cash economy. There is no economy that is inbuilt thinking that it has to be a cash economy.

    ”The world has moved away from predominantly cash to cashless economy. And I think Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria is prepared at this time to move towards a cashless economy.”

    Emefiele also dismissed the assertion that the redesigned Naira notes was targeted at some individuals, including politicians.

    ”There is no need for anybody to think that this programme is targeted at anyone. Like you heard the President speak in the chambers. He said that this discussion to redesign and reissue this currency started earlier in the year.

    ”We took painstaking efforts in looking at the pros and cons and the reasons when and why it should be done. And the President, in his wisdom, decided that yes, it must be done,” he added.