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After almost 72 hours in custody, famous singer and songwriter Oladapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as\u00a0D\u2019banj,\u00a0has been released by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).<\/p>\n
He was released on Friday afternoon but the ICPC might summon him later.<\/p>\n
His lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, told Premium Times that the singer cooperated with the Commission during its investigation.<\/p>\n
Mr Olajengbesi said D\u2019banj was released on self-recognition but didn\u2019t confirm if the ICPC granted the singer administrative bail.<\/p>\n
He also said the ICPC didn\u2019t trace any evidence of fraudulent activity to the singer. That claim could however not be independently verified at this time.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing incriminating was found on him. He was released on self-recognizance. Right now, we expect the ICPC to give a letter of clearance to Dbanj because, as we have always said, he is innocent of the charges brought against him,\u201d the lawyer said.<\/p>\n
PREMIUM TIMES however learnt that two Nigerian banks have submitted voluminous financial statements to the anti-graft agency in relation to the matter.<\/p>\n
The musician was arrested and detained\u00a0after ICPC operatives closed in on him, forcing him to surrender himself at the agency\u2019s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n
The pop singer was alleged to have fraudulently diverted hundreds of millions of naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for the N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up in 2016 to address youth unemployment and increase social development.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Thursday, his lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said the singer has dutifully cooperated with the Commission during its investigation.<\/p>\n
Mr Olajengbesi added that D\u2019banj has also demonstrated a shared zeal to help the Commission make its impassioned and honest findings on the matter, as he is interested in clearing his name.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the ICPC alleged that Dbanj failed to show up for interrogation despite multiple invitations.<\/p>\n
The anti-corruption body said it then moved to arrest him anywhere in Nigeria and abroad, forcing him to show up at the Commission\u2019s office on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
On arrival, D\u2019banj 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.<\/p>\n
D\u2019banj, 42, has twins as siblings \u2014 Taiwo and Kehinde Oyebanjo.<\/p>\n
A songwriter, singer, rapper and television personality, D\u2019banj has been active in the vibrant Nigerian music scene since 2004.<\/p>\n
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