ICPC confirms arrest, detention of D’Banj over N-Power fund fraud – Newstrends
Connect with us

Entertainment

ICPC confirms arrest, detention of D’Banj over N-Power fund fraud

Published

on

Oladipo Daniel Oyebanjo, otherwise known by his stage name D’Banj

Popular Nigerian musician, Oladapo Oyebanji, also known as D’banj, has been arrested and detained in Abuja over alleged diversion of N-Power fund.
The pop star was arrested and detained Tuesday by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission.

The ICPC on Wednesday confirmed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua.

D’banji was accused of fraudulently diverting huge funds 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.
According to an ICPC source, D’banj was said to have colluded with some government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the scheme.

The money meant for those beneficiaries was then paid to accounts that have now been allegedly linked to the pop star.

D’banj was reported to have dodged summons by the ICPC for weeks, claiming to be overseas for scheduled concerts for interrogation over fraud allegation before the commission’s operatives closed in on him.

On arrival at the ICPC office, D’banj was reportedly subjected to a prolonged interrogation session after which he was detained.

His plea for administrative bail was reportedly rejected by officials who said the musician could not be trusted to attend his trial if released on bail.

The statement issued read in part, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirmed on Wednesday the arrest and detention of Mr. Oladipo Daniel Oyebanjo, otherwise known by his stage name D’Banj, over the investigation of fraud associated with the N-Power Programme.

“The N-Power is a scheme established by President Muhammadu Buhari on 8th June, 2016, to address the issues of youth unemployment and empowerment, and help increase social development.

“In line with its mandate, the Commission had 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.

READ ALSO:

“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 Mr. Oladipo Daniel Oyebanjo, to appear before a team of investigators were ignored and not honoured.

“D’banji turned himself in and was taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters, Abuja, 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. The investigation is ongoing and the Commission prefers not to preempt its outcome and also avoid the frenzy of a media trial.”

Entertainment

Young boys introduced me to hard drugs – Nigerian singer

Published

on

Solidstar

Young boys introduced me to hard drugs – Nigerian singer

Solidstar, the ace Nigerian singer, has opened up about how he got involved with the use of hard substances.

In a snippet of an unreleased episode of the Honest Bunch podcast, the ‘Omotena’ hitmaker revealed that he was introduced to “ice” by some young boys in 2021.

Ice, also known as crystal methamphetamine, is a stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and body.

The singer said the substance had a terrible effect on him. He said after consuming the hard substance, he would start feeling like a king with a voice telling “me not to pay for things”.

READ ALSO:

Solidstar recalled walking from Awoyaya in Ibeju Lekki in Lagos to the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island– an estimated seven-hour trip on foot — during his battle with drug addiction.

“A lot of things happened to me. A couple of young boys introduced me to this substance called ice. This was three years back. The thing really affected me a lot,” he said.

“Sometimes this substance will tell me you are king, you are this, you are that, make I no dey pay for stuffs. Can you imagine say I waka from Awoyaya to Oriental Hotel.”

In August 2023, a video of Solidstar roaming the streets of Lagos in tattered clothes went viral on social media.

Reacting to the video, the family of Solidstar revealed that the singer “was sick and battling mental health issues”.

In 2019, the singer also narrated how he nearly died from bleeding after overdosing on drugs.

Young boys introduced me to hard drugs – Nigerian singer

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Veteran nollywood actor is dead

Published

on

Jonathan Ihonde

Veteran nollywood actor is dead

The Nollywood industry has again been thrown into mourning, following the death of one of its veterans, Jonathan Ihonde.

It was gathered that the dramatist and creator of the TV series, Hotel de Jordan, died on Tuesday, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

News of his death was circulated on various WhatsApp platforms in Benin, the Edo State capital.

The ace TV producer was a renowned and award-winning dramatist, writer, veteran Labour Union leader and social mobiliser, humanist and consistent patriot.

READ ALSO:

He created one of the precursors of Nigerian Home Video, the Hotel de Jordan in 1973, on the Midwest Television (MTV), which later became NTA Benin, following the takeover of all television stations by the Federal Government.

He had also featured in several home videos before his untimely death.

Meanwhile, a former Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Godwin Erhahon, has described the death of Jonathan Ihonde as a great loss to the movie industry and the labour union movement.

Erhahon described the late veteran as a dramatist par excellence.

“We were very close. He was a dramatist par excellence. He was a labour leader to the core, who always served as a resource person at Labour Union conferences,” he said.

Veteran nollywood actor is dead

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Daniel Emma wins Episode 2 Season 2 of Sabipas 10 Balls Snooker Challenge

Published

on

Daniel Emma wins Episode 2 Season 2 of Sabipas 10 Balls Snooker Challenge

Daniel Emma has emerged victorious in the Episode 2 Season 2 of the highly anticipated Sabipas 10 Balls Snooker Challenge.

It was a thrilling display of skill and precision for the winner during the competition, which took place at the Uncle G Snooker Spot, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos recently.

The competition known for its intense gameplay and strategic potting, according to a statement by the Coordinator, sabipasng, Olayinka Mahan, saw Daniel outshine all other contestants by potting all 10 balls with just 13 shots.

Part of the statement read, “Daniel’s impressive performance was a mere shot short of the all-time best record of 12 shots set by Prince in Season 1 of the tournament, showcasing his exceptional talent and determination on the snooker table.

“The Sabipas 10 Balls Snooker Challenge features a unique format where participants are tasked with potting 10 snooker balls placed on the board. “Contestants have the liberty of an unlimited number of shots to pot all 10 balls, with the ultimate goal of achieving this feat with the fewest shots possible.”

It added that fans and enthusiasts could stay updated with all the thrilling moments of the Sabipas 10 Balls Snooker Challenge by following the competition on various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Thread, and YouTube.

The Sabipas 10 Balls Snooker Challenge is a prestigious snooker competition that pits top players against each other in a test of skill, accuracy, and strategy.

With a focus on potting 10 snooker balls with the fewest shots, the challenge has continued to captivate audiences worldwide with its thrilling gameplay and remarkable performances, the statement added.

Continue Reading

Trending

Skip to content