Seyitan Babatayo, the lady who accused popular Nigerian singer D’banj of rape, has reportedly withdrawn her petition against the entertainer.
KanyiDaily recalls that on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, Seyitan narrated how Dbanj raped her during an all-white party in 2018, at Glee hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos State.
The 50-year-old singer has since then denied the rape allegations and even sued his accuser in court, demanding that she pay him N1.5 billion in damages.
In series of tweets on Friday, July 4, 2020, Journalist Kemi Olunloyo confirmed that Dbanj has been cleared of the rape allegations by the police.
According to her, Seyitan withdrew the case after a “non-monetary agreement was reached”. Probably because she was afraid of the counter suit by the singer and the hefty sum attached to it.
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 Lawrence (@DrKemiLawrence) July 24, 2020
The Stand To End Rape (STER) initiative also released an official statement on Twitter detailing the specifics of their intervention in the case of Ms Seyitan against D’Banj.
According to the statement, popular Twitter activist Mr Segun Awosanya aka SegaLink reached out to Seyitan to attend a meeting to negotiate a private settlement of the criminal case an on the 13th of July, 2020.
Ms Babatayo informed STER that a private non-monetary settlement was reached with Dbanj’s team. The specifics of the “private non-monetary settlement” were not revealed.
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
Barring any new developments, it appears the rape allegations against Dbanj will not result in a criminal trial and has been settled.
KanyiDaily recalls that Seyitan had filled a filed a criminal complaint against Dbanj, alleging that the entertainer kidnapped and threatened her after she accused him of rape.
