Nigerian Afrobeats star D’banj has been arrested over allegations of fraud after millions of dollars meant to help unemployed youths start businesses was reported missing.
The artist, who has claimed to be the brand ambassador for the scheme, has turned himself in.
The N-Power initiative was launched in 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
But many beneficiaries have complained for months that they were not receiving their grants.
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies said in a statement on Wednesday that “billions of naira” had been diverted.
Lawyers representing D’banj – whose real name is Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo – have denied a claim by the anti-corruption agency that their client had ignored multiple summons.
They said the artist willingly turned himself in on Tuesday and that he will cooperate with the investigation.
In a statement by the singer’s lawyers, Law Corridor, it described reports of D’banj’s arrest as “malicious and prejudicial.”
The statement titled, ‘D’banj encourages ICPC to do its investigation and cautions against media trial’, and signed by Maryam Musa, the law firm’s assistant team head, litigation, read, “The media is awash with reports of Oladapo Oyebanjo (D’banj) in ICPC custody with regards to unestablished (sic) allegations of fraud for which it has become crucial to make the following statement for the purpose of clarity and to set public records straight.
“It is instructive to state foremost that the report concerning the arrest and detention of Mr Oladapo Oyebanjo is misconceived, malicious and prejudicial to the justice system anywhere in the world and we would advise that the general public be well guided.”
However, the singer’s solicitors admitted that the ICPC was currently investigating allegations of diversion of N-POWER funds, adding that they believed the commission will stay the course of professionalism in the matter.
The statement also claimed that D’banj did not have any ‘contractual or incidental relationship whatsoever with any group or persons within or outside government in relation to the disbursement, operations, access or control of the operation of any government fund through an agency or its subsidiaries’.
It added, “Emphatically and as a matter of policy, D’banj and his management do not engage in business dealings unless they are legitimate, properly documented and obtainable in law.”
Reacting to the ICPC’s claim that the singer had been invited severally for questioning but failed to show up at the commission’s office until he was threatened with an arrest, the statement read, “D’banj was officially invited by the ICPC in respect of the investigation a month ago. However, he sent in letters through his attorneys to the commission in respect of his schedule in South Africa and promised to visit the commission when he returned.
“On Monday, December 5, 2022, D’banj freely and of his law-abiding accord went to the commission at about 2pm immediately he arrived Abuja. The officers of the commission advised that he returned the following day, as it was late for any interview on the said Monday.
“D’banj returned to the commission the following day as earlier agreed and voluntarily submitted himself to the commission to make their inquiry and investigation.”
Urging the ICPC to carry out a thorough investigation, the singer’s lawyers stated that characters attempting to bring him (D’banj) into such ridiculous activities must be brought to book.
It added, “It is inconceivable that D’banj whose 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 is advised to resist the urge to buy into media sensationalism, which is unsurprising but regardless harmful to the course for the truth which D’banj has willing 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 allegations levelled against his person, and it is for this reason that we implore the general public to stay guarded against malicious traducers who may be attempting to soil his image for their own purposes.”
More than two million Nigerians aged between 18 and 35 have benefited from the N-Power scheme since it was launched, according to the government.
At least 280bn naira ($629m; £516m) was distributed in 2019 to beneficiaries who started small businesses, the authorities said.
Ten other people, as well as D’banj are being investigated, the anti-corruption agency said.
“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,” a statement read.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which oversees N-Power, said it had no official engagement with the artist and that his claims to be an ambassador for the scheme was misleading.
D’banj’s 2012 hit Oliver Twist won him fans across the continent and in the diaspora.
Two years ago his one-year-old son drowned in a pool at his home in the commercial city of Lagos.
