D’Banj’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), disclosed this in an interview with Saturday Punch.
“They withdrew their petition but the police said they could not prove a case of r.a.p.e, 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 r.a.p.ing 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 r.a.p.e, against the suspect.”
Human rights group, Stand To End R. a.p.e, 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 r.a.p.ing her at Glee Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos in December 2018, an allegation he has denied several times.
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