Following the online outrage and pressure from activists, the United Nations (UN) has clarified that Nigerian entertainer, Oladapo Oyebanjo aka D’banj, is not a United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace.
Back in 2012, D’banj’s publicists announced that the musician was the first Nigerian that the UN had appointed as a Youth Ambassador for Peace. But now, the UN says they have never been involved with D’banj.
Earlier this month, talent scout Benjamin Ese accused D’banj of raping his friend in December 2018 at Glee Hotel. The friend in question was Seyitan Babatayo, who in turn shared the details of that fateful night.
Following this revelation, D’banj denied all of it and then allegedly imprisoned and threatened Seyitan. This led to many Twitter users emailing the UN to drop D’banj as their ambassador.
A Twitter user started a Change.org petition to remove the alleged rapist from the UN. The petition received 22,000 signatures in a matter of hours. But rather than condemn and discard him, the UN denies any involvement whatsoever with D’banj.
According to an email from the UN to Punch, D’banj was never one of their ambassadors.
Director of Information, United Nations Information Centre for Nigeria, Joseph Kayanja, told the newspaper that; “I would like to confirm that the said Mr Oladapo Oyebanjo aka D’Banj is NOT a UN Ambassador. The title was accorded to him by an obscure UN youth association which has nothing to do with the United Nations. I hope this clarifies.”
Heritage Bank has also reportedly severed ties with D’banj.
Babatayo formally filed a criminal complaint against D’banj on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, after the entertainer reportedly masterminded her arrest and detention by the police.
The police are currently investigating D’banj following orders from the Inspector General of Police and the Lagos State Attorney General. D’banj has maintained that he is innocent until proven guilty.
