Everything we know about the alleged police intimidation by D'Banj on his rape accuser, Seyitan

There are a lot of new updates about the rape allegations levelled against D’Banj by a woman called Seyitan. 

She had previously taken to Twitter to claim that the singer raped her in a hotel in Victoria Island two years ago. She made these allegations through her friend and model scout, Benjamin Ese. 

In response to the allegations, D’banj, who just celebrated his 40th birthday, issued his rape accuser a pre-litigation letter, asking for an apology in at least four national dailies and a compensation of 100 million Naira within 48 hours. 

The letter read in part:

“We have been instructed to demand 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 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.

He also demanded that the accuser make a deposit of N100m through his chamber for battering his image.

“Your client should make a compensatory deposit of the sum of N100m only through these chambers in favor of our client to assuage his battered image.”

However, shortly after he made this declaration, reports started to surface on Twitter that Seyitan had been arrested by D’banj and his cohorts and locked up without access to her family or legal representation.

Journalist, Kiki Mordi was among the many women who joined their voices together to condemn D’banj and demand Seyitan’s release. 

The reports also alleged that Seyitan’s phone had been seized under duress and her Twitter account manipulated with. 

SEYITAN IS STILL DETAINED! https://t.co/WMpKQlTj0V

— Kiki Mordi (@kikimordi) June 17, 2020

https://twitter.com/17_xcx/status/1273575809995939840?s=20

https://twitter.com/Thekookoorere/status/1273312454601211904?s=20

https://twitter.com/FisayoLonge/status/1273323802689241088?s=20

Seyitan accuses Dbanj of rape.
That’s fine.

Dbanj sues for damages.
That’s fine too.

What is NOT fine is using policemen to oppress a young girl into silence.

It will no longer matter if her claims are true or false. Using police to oppress her strongly suggests he is guilty.

— OurFaveOnlineDoc ?? ?? (@OurFavOnlineDoc) June 18, 2020

In the midst of this, Seyitan’s account sent out tweets that she wanted to move on from the whole situation. However, the women who were campaigning for her release disputed the claims, saying that Seyitan was not with her phone. 

I don’t know where all this rumors are coming from . Myself and my mom were not and have not been arrested .

— Aunty Seyitan (@seyitannn_) June 17, 2020

Finally, the women revealed that she has been released, but she was revealed to have gone missing again, with tech founder, Chioma Agwuegbo revealing that Seyitan missed a meeting with the Police PRO and is nowhere to be found. 

So Miss Seyitan Eunice Babatayo who was supposed to meet with @PoliceNG PPRO this morning is nowhere to be found. She's not answering calls or in contact with her lawyer or family. There is strong reason to believe she didn't get home last night.#StateOfEmergencyGBV

— Chioma Agwuegbo (@ChiomaChuka) June 18, 2020

Yesterday this happened! With support from feminists we were able to get her out of police custody, we woke up to the news that @iamdbanj's manager kidnapped Seyitan from the police station, she's being held against her will at his Ikoyi residence. https://t.co/Kyr9ARkO5U

— ay??délé ?l??fintúàdé (@aeolofintuade) June 18, 2020

Meanwhile, on her Twitter account, tweets promoting D’banj’s new song were shared. 

To be very honest this was never our intention, we love you guys,let's leave our life stress free #StressByDbanj ?? pic.twitter.com/vsR8V43M1f

— Aunty Seyitan (@seyitannn_) June 18, 2020

It is unclear what is going on but people have chosen sides in this matter, with some applauding D’banj’s actions and others strongly condemning it. See some reactions below.

https://twitter.com/UgoIkeakor/status/1273572619569242113?s=20

Lol you guys the promo Seyitan's account is tweeting are not even on Dbanj's page yet.

Do we look foolish to this guy and his team? Mad people

— Jola (@Jollz) June 18, 2020

I hope you guys are seeing what is happening to Seyitan. I hope we’re all seeing exactly how this plays out in reality.

— florence Dei. (@EfeOraka) June 18, 2020

Twitter is one big dung hole. You say rape is a serious matter, yes it is, but you don't think denying rape allegation is. DBanj knows how serious rape is, he is suing Seyitan, you guys still talk nonsense!! Ok, once you're accused of rape, just accept it and start crying, right?

— OONI OF ABUJA? (@Deji_OoniAbj) June 18, 2020

Stand to End Rape founder, Ayodeji Osowobi revealed that Seyitan has been released and is safe. 

Seyitan is fine everyone. She just wants to be alone, gather her thoughts together and recover from her overnight experience in @PoliceNG’s cell. Thank you so much for your calls, advocacy and support.?

— Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi-Oluwabiyi (@AyodejiOsowobi) June 18, 2020

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think D’banj is abusing his power or is there something more sinister at play here? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.