‘It’s a slap on my marriage’ — D’banj demands N100m from rape accuser

Oladapo ‘D’banj’ Oyebanjo, a singer and entrepreneur, has demanded the sum of N100 million as compensation from Seyitan Babatayo, a Nigerian lady, who accused him of sexual assault.

As talks about rape and violence against women dominated the mediascape, Babatayo had demanded an apology from the singer, claiming that he raped her in December 2018.

Filing a writ through her solicitors, the alleged victim’s demands also included that, apart from the apology letter to be sent to her, the ‘Fall in Love’ crooner also publishes the apology in two national dailies.

But in a letter issued on Tuesday by Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who happens to be the singer’s lawyer, D’banj dismissed the claimant’s allegations.

In the letter addressed to Babatayo’s counsel, the singer also asked his accuser to pay the sum of N100 million within 48 hours or face legal action.

“We have been instructed to demand and we so hereby demand from you the following: That your client makes an outright apology and a total retraction of each and every false allegation made against and concerning our client,” the letter read in part.

“The said apology and retraction shall be published in four national dailies with wide circulation in Nigeria as well as on social media platforms and handles being used by your client and her hirelings.

“That your client makes a compensatory deposit of the sum of N100m only through this chambers in favour of our client to assuage his battered image.”

The singer also took to his Instagram page to deny the allegation. He added that it is “false” and a slap to his marriage and “beautiful wife.”

“Today is exactly one week after my birthday and this will be the only time I will address the recent false allegations and lies from the pit of hell,” the 40-year-old showbusiness mogul, wrote.

“I have chosen to do so because the incident is a slap to my marriage and my beautiful wife, my entire family, and those who believe in me.

“I did not want to dignify the slurs with a response but it appears my silence has empowered my accusers to think I have been scared into the shadows.

“So I would like to state that this accusation is false and ludicrous and have been handed over to my legal team.

“It’s unfortunate that this is coming a few weeks before the second anniversary of my late son Daniel and this well-timed falsehood has reopened the painful scars of my deep loss.”

View this post on Instagram

Today is exactly 1 week after my birthday and this will be the only time I will address the recent false allegations and lies from the pit of hell. I have chosen to do so because the incident is a slap to my marriage and my beautiful wife, my entire family and those who believe in me. I did not want to dignify the slurs with a response but it appears my silence has empowered my accusers to think i have been scared into the shadows so I would like to state that This Accusation are false and ludicrous and Have been handed over to my Legal Team, while the Nigerian Police is Investigating the Criminal aspect of it. It’s unfortunate that this is coming a few weeks before the second anniversary of my late son Daniel And this well timed falsehood has reopened the painful scars of my deep loss. To my fans and loved ones , thanks for the support, your prayers and your positive comments . The truth will always prevail . God bless us all. 🙏🙏🙏

A post shared by D'banj (@iambangalee) on Jun 16, 2020 at 8:59am PDT

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D’banj’s rebuttal comes after Tobechukwu Okoh, another Nigerian singer better known as Peruzzi, had denied a similar claim made against his person, stating that he has never been a rapist.