A fresh discovery of 20,000 ghost workers in the N-power scheme has been linked to embattled music star, Oladapo Oyebanji.
Fresh information made available to POLITICS NIGERIA reveals that D’banj is still in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission (ICPC).
According to a reliable source, investigators discovered a fresh list containing over 20,000 ghost names, tagged “D’banj’s list.”
He revealed that the names were allegedly used to divert over N600 million monthly for over two years by government officials in connivance with the Nigerian musician. The source however added that D’banj refuted the allegation and denied any knowledge of the list.
“Like I told you yesterday, D’banj was to be released last night but our (ICPC) Director of OperationS wasn’t available. So, his lawyers were asked to come back today,” he said.
“But our investigators just discovered another 20,000 N-Power list, so he (D’banj) will remain in detention.”
“Today when his lawyers arrived for his release, they were told about this fresh list containing 20,000 names. This list was being used to divert N600 million monthly from Nigeria in the last two years by Buhari government officials. The list containing 20,000 names has been bleeding Nigeria N600 million monthly over the last two years.”
“It’s named the D-banj’s list. He actually denied the list when he was interrogated by our officials. That’s the reason he wasn’t released as planned.”
On June 8, 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the programme to address the issues of youth unemployment and empowerment, and also promote social development.
It can be recalled that on Wednesday, the commission, in a statement signed by its spokeswoman, Azuka Ogugua, revealed that D’banj had rebuffed several invitations extended to him.
“In line with its mandate, the commission had 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.”
“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.
“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.”
HE IS REPORTED TO HAVE SINCE BEEN RELEASED ON SELF RECOGNITION.
There is too many inconsistent information about the whole saga involving Banji.