The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered an investigation into the rape allegation involving a popular Nigerian entertainer, Oladapo Oyebanjo aka D’Banj.
The order to probe the rape allegation involving D’Banj and one Seyitan by the Police IG, came after outrage by Nigerians on how the alleged victim was allegedly arrested with her mother by the singer. Although the alleged victim has been released, Nigerians are, blaming the singer for allegedly using his powers and influence in the society to try and silence an alleged rape victim.
Before the Police IG letter also, Seyitan’s friend, Benjamin Ese, in a Twitter thread, recounted how D’Banj allegedly raped Seyitan at a hotel in December 2018.
The accusation sparked outrage on social media with some wondering why the alleged act was kept in the wrap for almost two years.
Ese had alleged the incident happened in an all-white party where D’Banj, according to her, offered her friend some money to spend the night, which she rejected until he surprisingly showed up in Seyitan’s hotel room around 2 am.
“D’Banj drove all the way from Eko hotel where he was lodged and came down to glee hotel in Victoria Island at midnight 2.40 am and collected the spare key from the receptionist,” Ese alleged.
She further added D’Banj “got into my friend’s room and forcefully threatened he would walk her out of the room naked, kept his fingers in her vagina and repeatedly raped her.”
The rape experience, Ese said, traumatised Seyitan in the last two years.
One month after Ese’s tweets, Seyitan, publicly appeared she was the victim.
The musician denied the allegations levelled against him and demanded his accuser to make a public apology as well as pay him N100m in damages.
The Police released a letter from the IG ordering the probe into the rape allegation with reference number CB.7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOl.484/801 signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IG, DCP Idowu Owohunwa.
The letter addressed to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, was based on a petition by Tommy Ojoge-Daniel, a lawyer to Miss Seyitan Babatayo, who accused D’Banj of raping her in 2018.
The letter written by the IG is titled: ‘Re: Petition Against (1) Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (Aka D’Banj) for Rape Indecent Sexual Assault, Attempted Assault on Miss Seyitan Temidayo”
It reads: “I forward herewith copy of a letter dated June 5, 2020 received from Ojoge, Omileye and Partners on the above-underlined subject. I am to respectfully convey the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you treat.
“Accept the assurances of my esteemed regards please.”