As expressed on many occasions, social media has become a tool for not just expressing oneself, but for also sharing ideas and opinions on social issues that find their way to the Internet. Social media has brought to light many injustices in recent times and while half the time, these injustices are explored to the roots, a few other times, some factors have hindered the progress of such cases.

The social injustice nature of the rape culture in the country, however, has led many Nigerians with the choice of blaming the institutions  and the police especially, for perpetuating the rape culture by enabling public personalities and high profile Nigerians oppress victims.

Earlier today on Twitter, Nigerian celebrity, D’banj, and Style Influencer, Seyitan, are currently trending and this is in light of recent events leading up to this moment – Seyitan had accused D’banj of rape from years back during the period where a lot of other people were talking about their abuse and their abusers.

Dbanj, WHERE IS MISS SEYITAN EUNICE BABATAYO? WHY DID YOU DELETE YOUR LAWYER’S LETTER FROM YOUR INSTAGRAM? IF YOU ARE INNOCENT, WHY IS SEYITAN STILL HELD HOSTAGE? WHY IS HER TWITTER ACCOUNT PROMOTING YOUR SONG?!!!!

— ??????? ????? (@Solomon_Buchi) June 18, 2020

In the wake of the Seyitan/Dbanj drama as well as all other unproven rape cases out there, i can only say this: Provided you are neither the accused/accuser, nor the police investigating the cases, please Seal your lips. Your voice should be heard ONLY when you have PROOF. ?

— SOMTO ? ?? (@SomtoSocial) June 18, 2020

Please listen to everything she said about this Dbanj & Seyitan issue. pic.twitter.com/E9EwXLnA8K

— Sweet Potato ✨ (@Drewbaba) June 18, 2020

However, after the accusation, D’banj filed a petition against the style influencer as he claimed they were false. Seyitan upheld her ‘truths’ for a while before she went further to post on her Instagram that she was done with the case following rumors that came afterward that she was arrested, alongside her mother for the ‘false accusation.’

Seyitan did not get home last night. She was taken and is being held by @iamdbanj’s manager and under pressure to recant her statement. This is not right. This is kidnapping. This is intimidation. This is a human rights violation. Fuck everyone involved in this bullshit.

— Doreen Uloma N. (@ulomareen) June 18, 2020

How can you defend yourself from a criminal accusation by asking your team to commit more crimes on your behalf?! @iamdbanj if you are not guilty, then this route is incredibly damning and reeks of desperation. It’s is abhorrent to use your power and influence in this way.

— Georgie Eku Edewor (@EkuEdewor) June 18, 2020

It is unconscionable that women in Nigeria cannot speak up about sexual violence done to them without fear of more violence.

What is this pressure on Seyitan to recant if Dbanj is not guilty? Didn't they already ask for 100m in damages? Why not allow the law take its course?

— Chioma Agwuegbo (@ChiomaChuka) June 18, 2020

However, things got somewhat escalated when Seyitan went off the grid after pointing out that she was done with the case but was nowhere to be found. Some Twitter users speculated that Seyitan was abducted by the singer and entertainer and was made to recant all her accusations against him as tweets promoting the singer emerged from her own Twitter account. This idea raised an alarm as people hit heavy on the police to look into the matter after tweets against the singer were being deleted from her page.

Dbanj’s social media accounts haven’t shared that promo video yet but somehow Seyitan can tweet it?

— J. (@JidekeneA) June 18, 2020

Others, however, alleged that D’banj abducted her, took hold of her social media accounts, and deleted all the tweets against him she had earlier said.

Dbanj, WHERE IS MISS SEYITAN EUNICE BABATAYO? WHY DID YOU DELETE YOUR LAWYER’S LETTER FROM YOUR INSTAGRAM? IF YOU ARE INNOCENT, WHY IS SEYITAN STILL HELD HOSTAGE? WHY IS HER TWITTER ACCOUNT PROMOTING YOUR SONG?!!!!

— ??????? ????? (@Solomon_Buchi) June 18, 2020

Publicity stunt?

I’m normally against cancel culture but Dbanj is cancelled in my books for real if this all some sort of publicity stunt. ?

— Timini Egbuson (@_Timini) June 18, 2020

Watch as developments unfold?

This Dbanj and Seyitan issue is confusing#SuperBoyCheque

— XHELTAR (@_xheltar) June 18, 2020

It will be wise to take a break from this whole Dbanj and Seyitan story until whatever is happening becomes clearer.

For now, the information trickling into Twitter are all from well-known sensationalists.

— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) June 18, 2020

 

The Seyitan and D’banj trend is a call by Nigerians against the cover-up of rape accusations levied against rich, famous and powerful people, as more and more people who jumped on this trend have pointed out that there are a number of instances where the police have perpetuated the rape culture in Nigeria by enabling public personalities to oppress victims.

If a rich, powerful and famous person is accused of rape and they really want to clear their name, they:
1. Speak to their lawyer
2. Lawyer reaches out to accuser
3. Accuser retracts/apologises or maintains position
4. They end it there or still go to court! /

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 18, 2020

 

An update on the trend reveals Seyitan is doing fine after being held at the Police cell overnight.

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 (@AyodejiOsowobi) June 18, 2020

 

D’banj, however, is yet to react to this recent development.