A 45 million naira ambassadorial deal singer D’banj recently signed with Heritage Bank has allegedly been suspended following the rape allegation leveled against him, according to a yet-to-be confirmed report.
The mouth watering deal with Heritage Bank was sealed on June 9th (the singer’s 40th birthday).
Read Also: Fans Celebrate D’Banj As Singer Marks 40th Birthday With Virtual Concert
It would be recalled that a lady named Seyitan Babatayo had accused the Koko Master of sexually assaulting her in December, 2018.
The singer reacted first by petitioning the police to investigate the accusation, he then later served the alleged victim a letter, demanding N100 million as damages and an apology or face legal action.
Read Also: Rape: D’banj Demands N100m Compensation From Accuser
Seyitan, in return, went on to also threaten legal action against the singer except he tenders a public and private apology to her.
Amid the controversy ensuing from the rape allegation, many Nigerians, including celebrities were outraged when Seyitan’s lawyers raised an alarm that she was arrested by police on Tuesday on orders from D’banj’s team and that she was detained and denied access to friends, family and her lawyers.
She was also allegedly forced into deleting her tweets where she narrated her supposed rape ordeal and recant her initial statement.
The development led to many calling on brands associated with the singer to put an end to any existing deals, accusing him of intimidating and suppressing his accuser.
Heritage Bank which is one of the brands linked with D’banj has now allegedly suspended his deal, until ‘he clears his name in the rape case.’
Although, the bank is yet to release a statement confirming or debunking the report.
A TV host, Vimbai Mutinhiri – Ekpenyong, shared screenshot of a chat revealing the suspension with the caption;
If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. – Desmond Tutu.
We have to allow the wheels of justice to turn, but until then we have to stand in alliance with the process of justice because we don’t know which one of us may need the credibility of that process to fight for us tomorrow. Thank you to this organization for choosing to let things play out.
A Twitter user named Jeremy Frankson also shared screenshots of contacting Heritage Bank via mail to cancel D’banj’s endorsement deal.
This has sparked mixed reactions from social media users as some feel the action is to call for the cancellation of his deal is ‘outrageous’, while others feel differently.
See some mixed reactions below;
How do you get justice for an alleged wrong by committing a fraudulent act?
Now that Heritage bank has stripped him of his deal, I hope you’d be able to sleep at night knowing you took food from a man’s mouth
If he’s guilty, let him face the music but only then#DbanjSuspended pic.twitter.com/GaXicMDeEK
— The Rayo Kasali (@RayoKasali) June 20, 2020
Why are some Nigerians so sentimental about Heritage Bank decision? It is normal for companies to disassociate themselves from the accused until he clears his name. Rooney lost endorsements deal from Coca Cola cos of cheating allegations. Late Kobe Bryant #DbanjSuspended
— 🇳🇬 🇬🇧 (@Mazipita) June 20, 2020
You didn’t hear from Dbanj, you didn’t hear from Seyitan, just random conspiracy theories and noise on social media & you dey cancel Dbanj, anyways #DbanjSuspended is trending already, I hope this isn’t Amber Heard & Johnny Depp’s story all over again, may the truth prevail.
— Zaddy Ajala (@UNCLE_AJALA) June 20, 2020
“Being suspended” is temporary thing.
That was the right decision by Heritage bank or in fact by anyone he’s dealing with.
Reputations on the line for every party.
Dbanj should now prove his innocence and get back with the bank.#DbanjSuspended pic.twitter.com/3funbGYmVJ
— Original Tivboy🦅 (@iamlampson) June 20, 2020
Another Deal Paused Until Dbanj Clears his name on rape scandal #DbanjSuspended pic.twitter.com/RkgeooUK2e
— teebamz (@TeeDeevah) June 20, 2020
It is better for Dbanj to lose N45m & clear his name, then get better deals in the future than having a massive allegation rape case hanging on his neck. Let the law take it full course. Stop taking side and pls don’t make it an online tribal war. #DbanjSuspended
— 🇳🇬 🇬🇧 (@Mazipita) June 20, 2020
#DbanjSuspended
I have never condone or supported rapists, my timeline says all.
I am yet to come to terms to the fact that we Believe whatever a woman says when it has to do with #RapeCase.
Dbanj hasn’t been proven guilty yet but he is loosing everything he worked for…1/4 pic.twitter.com/re1TAQDTJD— Chibuchi || CEO S.T.A. ❄️ (@_STAcademy) June 20, 2020
#DbanjSuspended
@heritagebankplc YOU ARE DOING VERY WELL.
This is how to #SayNoToRape, and to not stand for intimidation of victims.We want an official statement of you condemning D’banj’s actions as well.
— Feminist (@bakaresimbiat) June 19, 2020
Rape should never be condoned no matter who’s involved.
Harassment must not be allowed as well.
But, we must also eschew concluding matters before they have been proven by authorities.
Both accuser and the alleged victim should get equal benefits of doubt.#DbanjSuspended
— The Rayo Kasali (@RayoKasali) June 20, 2020
#DBanjsuspended they lynched the man to death,some minutes later people around realised that the man and the girl had a relationship in d past
— Chukwudi Adindu (@Chukstaker) June 20, 2020
Hey koko master, if u are not guilty, y did u delete d suppose lawyer writeup on IG? & y re ur unreleased music been tweeted from ur accuser account not urs? r u not a peace Ambassador? y intimidate & threaten her if u r innocent? am no longer a fan.Bye @iamdbanj #DbanjSuspended
— My name is Nero (@fabulousnero) June 19, 2020
I just don’t believe all the allegations against @iamdbanj What Surprised me the most is how People are turning against him without a Solid evidence of the Allegation. I just know that God will Vindicate Him and put all his Enemies to total Shame#IstandwithDbanj #DbanjSuspended
— MC Broda Bujo (@mcbrodabujo) June 20, 2020
Putting all these into consideration, what do you think about the whole saga?
