The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detained popular singer and songwriter, D’banj over the alleged diversion of an unspecified amount of N-power project funds. It is alleged that the singer colluded with some government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the N-power payroll scheme and the stipends paid to those beneficiaries were traced and allegedly paid directly into bank accounts connected to D’banj.
N-power was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 to address the issues of youth unemployment and improve social development.
A source within the Commission disclosed that D’banj had been invited for months on multiple occasions by the ICPC but kept on claiming he was out of Nigeria for scheduled music concerts.
According to reports, the 42-year-old singer finally honored the Commission’s summons on Tuesday and is currently being detained by ICPC operatives at their headquarters in Abuja.
The source also claimed that D’banj was interrogated for hours and officials denied his application for administrative bail, alleging that the singer could not be trusted to attend his court trial if released on bail.
ICPC is expected to approach the court on Wednesday for an extended remand order with the view of allowing the Commission to conclude its investigations before the musician will be charged to court.
The spokesperson of ICPC, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua did not respond to calls or text messages regarding this development.
