By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The claim and counter claim whether music star, Dbanj, raped his accuser, Seyitan Babatola, has taken a twist not anticipated by many who have been following the story since it broke in June.
Seyitan had alleged that Dbanj sneaked into her hotel apartment using a key he obtained illegally from the receptionist on December 31, 2018, to rape her.
Dbanj immediately threatened defamation against her. She pushed back with a threat of criminal charges. After a while, both parties appeared to have sheathed the sword.
Some alleged that Seyitan was bullied to take that route, especially when the news broke that she was arrested. End SARS convener, Segun Awosanya, famously known as Sega, faulted that claim, but later conceded.
Sega said Seyitan first approached him for legal representation. He said he realised that the whole episode had shaken her, so when she initially briefed him, he advised that she takes a rest and return later for the legal talk.
According to Sega, he curiously found out that some feminists with their private agendas where leading Seyitan on.
“I have told Seyitan to break the chains of these lost souls and get some rest,” he said he told her when she first approached him for legal representation.
“Anytime she is ready, we will do anything she wants without raising funds. Litigation no be war. There is no place for hate if you have a case. We must fight impunity equitably. This is pure EVIL!
“The malicious interest group erroneously believes that Seyitan’s reluctance in taking their orders, was connected to me as proven by their numerous statements via Twitter trolls & ghouls under the pseudonym of e-Feminists (recently re-christened as Feminist Coven).
“The (Seyitan) family also reiterated and distanced themselves from the unfounded allegations pushed by those hoping to traffic their agenda through her situation. Seyi and her family are not interested in any CASE or legal battle as strictly communicated to @SIAF_NG (an organisation he runs),” he said.
Anti-rape activist and journalist, Kiki Mordi, was furious when Sega specifically mentioned her, Chioma Chuka and Ayodeji Osowobi of pursuing the case emotionally without all the facts.
Mordi responded with a punch. “You questioned the credibility of Seyitan’s statements, diagnosed her of mental health challenges. You jeopardized the integrity of women’s years of hard work. YEARS. You set off social media dogs on women who did nothing but stand up for another woman,” she said.
As the facts of whether Dbanj is the victim or villain, it becomes even more complex to solve now that it has woven into the feminism debate.
