Update: D’banj Finally Breaks Silence Over Arrest

Popular Nigerian musician,Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’Banj, has reacted to the fraud allegations linked to him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

 

Nuella's  News had earlier reported that the ICPC said D’banj was arrested over a fraud allegation linked with the N-Power Programme.

 

According to a statement issued by Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, the ICPC’s spokeswoman, D’banj is under investigation for fraud connected to the N-Power Programme.

On June 8, 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the N-Power programme to address the issues of youth unemployment and empowerment while also promoting social development.

The statement said the anti-graft agency “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,” it also said.

It added that “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.

“Mr. Oyebanjo turned in himself and was taken into custody at the ICPC Headquarters on Tuesday, 6th December, 2022, and is currently assisting the investigators to unravel the circumstances of the fraud allegations by the petitioners.

He was arrested over a fraud allegation linked with the N-Power Programme,” it said.

But in a statement issued on Wednesday through Maryam El-yakub Musa. Esq., Asst. Team Head, Litigation, LAW CORRIDOR, D’banj denied the allegations and urged the public not to get carried but the “media trial”.

Noting that it was to set the records straight, D’banj’s legal representatives raised 11 points as follows: “It is instructive to state foremost that the report concerning the arrest and detention of Mr. Daniel 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.

“We acknowledge the fact that the ICPC is currently investigating allegations of diversion of N-POWER funds as already stated by the Commission and we continue to hold the expectation that the Commission will stay the course of professionalism in this matter.

“For the record, D’banj has no such 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.

“Emphatically and as a matter of policy, Dbanj and his management do not engage in business dealings unless they are legitimate, properly documented and obtainable in law.

“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 the 5th of December, 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 said Monday.

“D’banj returned to the Commission the following day being Tuesday the 6th of December, 2022 as earlier agreed and voluntarily submitted himself to the Commission to make their inquiry and investigation.

“D’banj has encouraged the Commission to carry out its investigation thoroughly to ensure that characters attempting to bring him into such ridiculous activities must be brought to book.

“It is inconceivable that D’banj whose very 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 are 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 and every allegation 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.”

 

Why I Tried To Quickly Leave Nigeria After Handing Over To Soludo – Ex-Governor Obiano, Breaks Silence

 

The immediate former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has explained why he tried to leave Nigeria hours after he handed over to his successor, Chukwuma Soludo.

Obiano handed over power to Soludo on Thursday, March 17 and was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos a few hours later while trying to leave the country.

In an interview Obiano, through his lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto (a Senior Advocate of Nigeria), said he was not running away but was rather hurrying to keep a doctor’s appointment to treat a “semi fatal condition”.

“He was not running away. Why will he run away when his family is here and he has a lot to do here? The fact is that he (Obiano) has a medical condition for which he had a prior appointment to see his Specialist Doctor for treatment at Spring Creek Urology Specialists LLC, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

“By the nature of his ailment, he has been undergoing treatment at the said Specialist Hospital since June 2021 and had an appointment earlier scheduled for the final stage of Specialist Radiography for eight (8) weeks – which will take place immediately upon his arrival at the Facility in Houston, Texas, U.S.A; and thereafter, after four days. Subsequent treatments are scheduled every day for a period of eight (8) weeks,” he said.

Ikwueto said the former governor had since mid-last year received treatment at the US medical facility every three months.

“The last time he was there was December 2021 and became due for another round of treatment this March shortly before he handed over to Soludo,” the lawyer said.

The lawyer refused to disclose the nature of the ailment.

“He (Obiano) was lucky that the disease was detected on time. It was still at an early stage when he was diagnosed last year,” said a source familiar with the former governor’s medical condition.

The lawyer also said the former governor was granted permission by the federal authorities to travel for urgent medical treatment and that the former governor was surprised that after he was given assurance that he could proceed on his trip, he was blocked at the airport.

“I can tell you that after the media reported that the EFCC placed him on its watchlist, he reached out to authorities at the federal level to seek permission to travel for his scheduled medical treatment,” the lawyer said.

“He also promised that he would thereafter return to face any probe the EFCC or any other agency had against him. So it was shocking that he was still treated the way he was despite the assurance he was given,” he said

Update: Ebele Obiano Was Smelling Of Alcohol And Drunk When She Attacked Me – Bianca Ojukwu Breaks Silence

Bianca Ojukwu has revealed the circumstances surrounding the dirty slap she gave the immediate past first lady of Anambra state, Ebele Obiano.

Recall that Bianca and Ebele made news on Thursday, March 17, when they had a scuffle during the inauguration of Charles Soludo as the new governor of Anambra state. In a viral video, Bianca gave Ebele a slap after the latter left her seat to insult her. Mrs. Obiano who was left ruffled after her scuffle with Bianca was also filmed on camera calling Bianca ”Ashawo”.

In an interview with Arise TV, Bianca who is the wife of late Odumegwu Ojukwu, said Ebele was noticeably absent as the inauguration ceremony started. She noted that Ebele then arrived an hour later.

She said: “I didn’t pay any attention to her arrival. Surprisingly, she then walked towards me and I thought she was coming to greet me. Instead she verbally attacked me with her voice raised, taunting me and asking me what I was there to do, using unprintable, vile language.

She asked if I had come to celebrate their last day in office but I ignored her completely. Then she kept on aggressively putting her hand on my shoulders and shouting. While I ignored her verbal onslaught as advised by people sitting around me, I requested twice that she refrains from touching me with her hands.

She proceeded to do so yet again and tried to touch my head and remove my headtie. It was at this point I stood up to defend myself and gave her a dirty slap to stop her from attacking me. As she made towards me, I den pulled away her wig, she then held on to her wig with her two hands and tried to take the wig away from me.

The former APGA chairman, Umeh, told her to leave me and told everyone to leave. I was stunned by the stench of whisky in her breath at such an early hour of the day. How could the first lady be so drunk at that time? I stayed back to watch the ceremony till the end and left with my dignity intact.”

Pastor Adeboye Breaks Silence On Son's Death

The church said the death of Pastor Dare Adeboye, the third son of the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is not related to COVID-19.

In a post on its verified Twitter handle, @rccghq said Pastor Dare died on Tuesday, May 4. 

The statement signed by the church's spokesman, said it is the wish of the family to be left alone at this critical time.

The tweet read, “It is with a deep and heartfelt sense of loss we announce the departure of our beloved son, brother, husband and father, Oluwadamilare Temitayo Adeboye. Who went to be with the Lord on the 4th of May, 2021. 

“His life was well lived as he served the Lord without reserve, giving effortlessly and leading fearlessly.

“He was crowned by the Lord with blessings of 3 seeds and a beautiful wife.

“Though shaken, our anchor remains Jesus Christ in whom we have the assurance that we will one day meet in a place where there is no pain.

“It is the wish of the family to be left alone at this moment, and we pray the Lord to keep you as you honour this humble request.

“Oluwadamilare Temitayo Adeboye, June 9th 1978 - May 4th 2021. Remain forever in our heart.

“Please note that this is not a COVID-19 related death.

Dare died in his sleep in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, where he was based with his family.

The deceased, who would have turned 43 on June 9, 2021, was a life coach, visionary leader, motivator and bridge builder.

Before his death, Dare was the Assistant Pastor in charge of Region (Youth) 35.