Dbanj’s rape allegation is picking up steam really fast and if you need to get caught up on all that’s happening, here’s all the information we know so far.
How’d it start?
It all began when the alleged victim’s friend, Benjamin Ese, in a Twitter thread in early June told the story of how D’banj allegedly raped Miss Seyitan Babatayo at a hotel two years ago – in December 2018. One month after Ese’s tweets, Seyitan came out publicly to present herself as the lady who was allegedly raped by D’Banj in December 2018.
The musician, however, denied the allegations levelled against him and asked his accuser to make a public apology and also pay him the sum of N100m in damages.
Omooo https://t.co/8Fnch8OVq7 pic.twitter.com/BJZyGIb3Xn
— Bolu Billions ✨✨ (@_Tifeee) June 16, 2020
I heard something about arrests?
It all began when on Wednesday, Nigerian journalist Kiki Mordi shared news on Twitter of Babatayo reportedly having been arrested by the police. It is alleged that on Tuesday, some policemen allegedly acting on the instruction of the D’banj detained Seyitan for over 24 hours, intimidated her, took control of her phone and deleted all chats, social media posts and other vital information from her phone.
I’m done with all these back and forth drama…Frank took me to the party and gave me the key to the room.
I’m moving on and leaving everything behind me. Thanks and God bless
— Aunty Seyitan (@seyitannn_) June 17, 2020
Related : 3 Ways You Can Help End Rape Today
It was later reported on social media that she had been released.
She’s been released!
— Kiki Mordi (@kikimordi) June 17, 2020
The incident has sparked social media outrage and widespread condemnation of D’banj’s alleged actions. The alleged actions have been condemned by celebrities such as Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy, Toke Makinwa, Rita Dominic, Timini Egbuson, Eku Edewor, MI Abaga and Timi Dakolo.
So what’s happening now?
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered a probe into the allegations of rape levelled against D’Banj. The IG’s letter was in response to a petition written to the IG by Mr. Tommy Ojoge-Daniel, a lawyer to Miss Seyitan Babatayo.
Updates will be included as the situation develops.
Update July 24
On the 24th of July, The Stand To End Rape initiative released an official statement on Twitter detailing the specifics of their intervention in the case of Ms Seyitan Babatayo against Mr Oyebanjo (aka D’Banj).
Press Statement: In line w/ our key values— integrity & transparency; this is a detailed report of STER & partner NGO’s intervention in the case of Ms Seyitan Babatayo against Mr Oyebanjo (aka D’Banj).
As an NGO, STER remains committed to supporting survivors of SGBV in Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/BaR0cPN9Pu
— S.T.E.R Initiative (@StandtoEndRape) July 24, 2020
Based on their statement, it appears that popular Twitter activist Mr Segun Awosanya aka SegaLink (https://twitter.com/segalink) reached out to Seyitan to attend a meeting to negotiate a private settlement of the criminal case an on the 13th of July, 2020 Ms Babatayo informed STER that a private non-monetary settlement was reached with Dbanjs team. The specifics of the “private non-monetary settlement” were not revealed. Barring any new developments, it appears the rape allegations against Dbanj will not result in a criminal trial and has been settled.
Updates will be included as the situation develops.