Seyitan Babatayo, who accused musician, Oladapo Oyebanjo aka D’Banj, of rape has written a letter to the police withdrawing her petition.
This happened just as the police said it has been unable to establish a case of rape against the musician.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, Seyitan had accused D’Banj of raping her at Glee Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos in December 2018, an allegation he has denied several times.
The 40-year-old singer had sued Seyitan for N1.5bn over the allegation, adding that it had caused him untold embarrassment and psychological trauma.
In a recent turn of event, the accuser, Seyitan has withdrawn her petition against the singer.
In a letter dated July 17, 2020 addressed to the Inspector-General of Police through her lawyer, Olamide Omileye, she said she was withdrawing from the case for personal reasons.
The letter read in part,
“We hereby officially notify you of our client’s intention to withdraw and discontinue her petition against Mr. Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo aka D’Banj for personal reasons. Our client further humbly applies that the investigation and all other action that is currently being carried out by the police with respect to the statement.”
In his response to the letter, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Admin), Umar Sanda, said investigation had discontinued due to lack of evidence.
The letter posted on Twitter by investigative journalist, 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.”
See below:
#BREAKING EXCLUSIVE
I was RIGHT all along. It cost me a lot of time, money, my health and sometimes integrity but I ONLY investigate the truth. #defendmediafreedomDbanj has been vindicated by @policeng of RAPING Seyitan. I will now detail findings of their investigation. pic.twitter.com/Ta8SCUocQS
— Dr Kemi IG@Kemified (@KemiOlunloyo) July 24, 2020
Here are legal documents I obtained in the case and the recommendation of @policeng
I implore the Nigerian mainstream media to get more involved in investigative journalism especially RAPES. It is important to protect the innocently accused. #kemitalks pic.twitter.com/6GtqzQ1qdz— Dr Kemi IG@Kemified (@KemiOlunloyo) July 24, 2020
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 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.”
See below:
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