Alleged N-Power Fraud: ICPC Detains D’Banj

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday said popular musician, Mr. Oladipo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’Banj has been arrested and detained over his involvement in the ongoing investigation of fraud associated with government-initiated N-Power programme.

ICPC spokesperson Azuka Ogugua said Mr. Oyebanjo turned himself in and was taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

He is currently assisting the investigators to unravel the circumstances of the alleged fraud.

ICPC said 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 but several invitations to Oyebanjo, to appear before a team of investigators were ignored and not honoured.

Meanwhile, the Ministry Of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management And Social Development has said when it came to its notice that there may have been sharp practices by some personnel of the Payment Service Provider (PSP) involved in the payment processes of beneficiaries, the matter was immediately referred to ICPC for thorough investigation.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the permanent secretary, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, it has also carried out thorough reinforcement of our systems to eliminate all anomalies and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

“To this end we are in close collaboration with ICPC to support the successful determination of the investigation

“The public may wish to note that in a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of N-Power and other National Social Investment Programmes, namely the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP)and the Conditional Cash Transfer(CCT), the Ministry has over time involved other government MDA’s, Security Agencies and Civil Society Organizations in monitoring and compliance checks across the 36 states of the country and the FCT.”

He assured all N-POWER beneficiaries of federal government’s continued commitment to the programme and the subsequent exit off-boarding channels activated.

Sani-Gwarzo said all programme beneficiaries should therefore continue to apply themselves to their utmost at their Places of Primary Assignment.

“All monthly stipends will continue to be paid in line with program expectations.

“We call on members of the public to come forward with information on any irregularities noticed in the implementation of the National Social Investment programme.”