Seyitan Babatayo, a final-year University of Lagos student, accused Afrobeats star Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, known as D’banj, of raping her in December 2018, triggering a chain of events that exposed Nigeria’s systemic failures in addressing sexual violence.
After going public on June 3, 2020, Babatayo faced police harassment, detention, and coercion by D’banj’s team, sparking widespread outrage and amplifying calls for justice reform amid rising activism against gender-based violence.
The Allegation and Aftermath
On June 3, Babatayo tweeted that D’banj raped her at Glee Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, after gaining access to her room around 2:40 AM.
Her friend, model scout Benjamin Ese, had earlier shared the story, alleging D’banj offered her N200,000 ($516) to spend the night, which she declined.
Babatayo’s decision to speak out was spurred by D’banj’s #NoMeansNo social media posts, which she saw as hypocritical.
She reported the incident to Bar Beach Police Station on June 6, but officers dismissed it, citing her delay in reporting.
D’banj denied the allegations on June 15 via Instagram, calling them “lies from the pit of hell,” and, through lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN), demanded N100 million ($258,000) in damages and a public apology within 48 hours.
On June 16, four armed police officers, posing as delivery agents, arrested Babatayo at her home without a warrant, detaining her for nearly 48 hours at the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team office in Ikeja.
She was then handed to D’banj’s team, who held her at an undisclosed location, coerced her to sign a gag order, and forced her to delete her tweets.
Her Twitter account posted a promotional D’banj video and a retraction, which she later said was orchestrated.
Public Outcry and Rescue
Babatayo’s disappearance sparked the #WhereIsSeyitan campaign, led by investigative journalist Kiki Mordi and Stand to End Rape (STER).
Using satellite mapping, STER, activists, and Babatayo’s friends located her on June 18, securing her release and moving her to a safe location.
STER raised N1.6 million ($4,100) for her legal and personal needs. Babatayo filed a formal criminal complaint against D’banj on June 22 at the Lagos Police Command’s Gender Desk, supported by former Ogun State Attorney-General Mrs. Akeredolu (SAN).
She reported ongoing harassment, with D’banj’s team boasting he could “buy off” Lagos’s justice system.
The case fueled protests in Lagos and Abuja, with activists like Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi of STER demanding sustainably-funded sexual assault referral centers and swift prosecutions.
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum declared a state of emergency on sexual violence in June, promising specialized police units, though activists emphasized the need for judicial reform to boost convictions.
Systemic Challenges
Nigeria’s rape conviction rate remains dismal, with fewer than 80 recorded convictions despite 717 reported cases from January to May 2020, per police data.
A 2014 national survey found one in four women experience sexual violence before age 18, with 70% facing multiple incidents.
Police investigations are often undermined by victim-blaming, poor training, and bribery. The Lagos Police Gender Unit was involved, but initial denials of Babatayo’s arrest by spokesperson Bala Elkana raised doubts about transparency.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, ordered a probe, but Babatayo’s non-appearance for interviews delayed progress, prompting police to invite her formally.
Case Resolution
On July 17, 2020, Babatayo withdrew her petition for “personal reasons” via a letter from her lawyer, Olamide Omileye, to the Inspector-General.
STER reported that Babatayo and D’banj reached a private non-monetary agreement on July 13, facilitated by activist Segun Awosanya (Segalink), though STER criticized his involvement as undermining justice.
The police discontinued the investigation, citing insufficient evidence. Babatayo later clarified she and her family sought the settlement to resolve the issue, denying STER’s claims against Segalink.
D’banj maintained his innocence, posting “Innocent until proven guilty” on Instagram.
Broader Context
Babatayo’s ordeal, alongside cases like the rape and murder of 22-year-old Vera Uwaila Omozuwa in a Benin City church, galvanized Nigeria’s anti-rape movement.
Hashtags like #JusticeforUwa and protests pushed for the 2015 Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act’s implementation.
Activists argue Nigeria’s fight against sexual violence requires more than harsher penalties—systemic reform, police training, and societal shifts are critical to end impunity.
