The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission has arrested and detained D’banj, a widely recognized Nigerian music artist (ICPC). The 42-year-old was apprehended and held on Tuesday when ICPC agents closed in on him, according to Gatekeepers News.
Premium Times claims that D’banj was made to turn himself up at the agency’s Abuja headquarters.
He is accused of defrauding the Nigerian government of hundreds of naira intended for the N-Power project, an empowerment initiative it launched in 2016 to combat young unemployment and advance social development.
D’banj has reportedly been evading summonses for weeks, saying he was abroad for booked performances each time he was asked to appear for questioning about fraud claims.
The ICPC sought to arrest the singer anywhere in Nigeria and overseas after he repeatedly declined invitations to appear for questioning; as a result, he was forced to appear at the commission’s headquarters on Tuesday.
The singer of “Olivia Twist” underwent a protracted questioning after arriving, during which he was held in custody. However, officials denied his request for administrative relief because they believed he could not be trusted to appear at his trial if released on bond.
According to a different source, ICPC may ask the court for an extended detention order on Wednesday so that the agency complete its investigation before charging the musician to court.