D’Banj continues N1.5bn libel case as Seyitan withdraws petition

Musician , Oladapo Oyebanjo , aka D ’ Banj , is forging ahead with the N 1 . 5 bn libel suit filed against Miss Seyitan Babatayo , who accused him of rape , despite the latter withdrawing a petition submitted to the Inspector - General of Police.

D ’ Banj ’ s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome ( SAN ) , disclosed this in an interview with

Saturday PUNCH on Friday .

“ They withdrew their petition but the police said they could not prove a case of rape against D ’ Banj . This fact should not be hidden . It is based on this they are begging him to withdraw the case but I have not received any letter from my client asking me to withdraw the case. So, the case in court is still alive , ” Ozekhome said .

D ’ Banj had on July 3 , 2020 , filed a defamation suit before an FCT High Court requesting the court to order Seyitan to tender a letter of apology for the accusations directed at him , which he claimed has caused him “ embarrassment , ridicule , derision , marital disharmony , mental agony , and psychological trauma . ”

Seyitan , who had accused D ’ Banj of raping her in 2018 , later wrote a letter to the IG withdrawing the petition .

In his response to the letter , the IG through the Deputy Commissioner of Police ( Admin ) , Umar Sanda , said investigation had discontinued due to lack of evidence .

The letter posted on Twitter by blogger, Kemi Olunloyo , read in part , “ In view of the foregoing facts , investigation was discontinued as no substantial evidence to prove the allegation of rape against the suspect. ”

Human rights group , Stand To End Rape Initiative , popularly known as STER , said Seyitan decided to end the case without receiving any monetary compensation .

STER , which was actively in support of Seyitan ’ s quest for justice , thanked everyone.

The statement read in part , “ On July 13 , 2020 , Ms . Babatayo ( Seyitan ) informed STER that a private non - monetary agreement was reached with D ’ Banj ’ s team . We , therefore , present this statement as the full account of our stewardship on this matter . ”

Seyitan had accused D ’ Banj of raping her at Glee Hotel , Victoria Island, Lagos in December 2018 , an allegation he has denied several times .

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH o n Friday , a lawyer to Seyitan , Mr . Tommy Ojoge -Daniel , said D ’ Banj had yet to effect service on his client .

Ojoge- Daniel said his client decided to withdraw the complaint against D ’ Banj for personal reasons . He, however , said they would not be intimidated by the N 1 . 5 bn libel suit.

“ We have not yet been served with the processes . However , we are not afraid of any libel suit. Our client only decided to withdraw the petition for personal reasons , ” the lawyer said .