This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
On December 30, 2018, a woman named Seyitan Babatayo attended a white-party event at Glee Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. It was there that she alleges she was raped by Nigerian music star Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D'banj.
Over 15,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the United Nations to distance itself from D'banj over the rape claim. The petition, which was started in support of Seyitan, argues that the UN should not associate itself with alleged rapists and abusers.
According to the petition, 'Women in Nigeria are increasingly at risk of sexual violence and the United Nations 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.'
D'banj has denied the allegations, stating that they have greatly affected his marriage. He claims that his legal team and the Nigerian police department are handling the matter.
However, Seyitan's friend Benjamin Ese, a model scout, has corroborated her account of the events. In a series of tweets, he described how D'banj gained access to Seyitan's room while she slept and allegedly raped her.
