Alleged rape: Over 15,000 sign petition to strip D’banj of UN job

Over 15,000 people have now signed a petition to the United Nations seeking the removal of Oladapo Oyebanjo, a Nigerian singer better known as D’banj, as a youth ambassador.

Seyitan Babatayo, a Nigerian lady, had claimed the musician raped her at a hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos in 2018.

Following the frenzy that had trailed the accusations, the ‘Fall in Love’ crooner had dismissed the lady’s account of the said incident as “false” and a slap on his marriage and “beautiful wife.”

It was gathered that she was arrested over the allegation in a development the police would later claim they had no knowledge about, although she was said to have later been released on Thursday.

On Friday, thousands took to change.org platform to sign the petition requesting the singer’s removal as youth ambassador of the UN.

“We call on the UN, and United Nations Women Africa organisations to remove Mr. Dapo Oyebanjo as a youth ambassador and distance themselves from his actions,” the petition read.

“This is following the sponsored kidnap of Seyitan, who accused D’banj of rape and sexual assault which happened in 2018. Women in Nigeria are increasingly at risk of sexual violence.

“The UN and United Nations Women Africa as an entity committed to the empowerment of women should not be seen to associate themselves with alleged rapists, abusers, and kidnappers.

“We ask the UN and United Nations Women Africa to lend their influence in helping Seyitan get justice for the abuse she endured in 2018, the harassment, and bullying in the past weeks.

“We also call the attention of brands such as Heritage Bank Africa, One Africa, CSA Global, and other establishments associated with Mr. Oyebanjo to end their commercial relationship with him.”

The petition was started by one E.Pooola on Thursday. As of the time this report was filed 15,293 people have signed the petition.

The petition against D’banj comes about the same time when Mohammed Adamu, the inspector-general of police (IGP), ordered a probe into the rape allegation against the embattled singer.