Judicial Integrity and the Subjudice Rule

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reaffirmed the position of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, regarding the criminal case of the Ajiran murders. The Force maintains that the matter must be allowed to run its full judicial course before a court of competent jurisdiction without the influence of public pressure or media interference.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the case has been the subject of several weeks of public commentary by social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). The Police emphasized that the matter is already before the court following formal legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), rendering it subjudice.

The criminal case referenced in recent public commentary was investigated by the police and is now before a court of competent jurisdiction following advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. Being subjudice, adjudication of that matter rests solely with the judiciary. The Nigeria Police Force will neither try the case in the media nor permit its outcome to be shaped by public campaigns designed to prejudge the officers or parties involved.

— CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Force

Internal Accountability and FCID Invitations

In response to allegations of professional misconduct, the NPF disclosed that internal accountability mechanisms have been activated. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) has invited AIG Jimoh for questioning regarding the claims made against him. This move is intended to ensure transparency regardless of the rank of the officers involved.

Simultaneously, the FCID Headquarters in Abuja formally invited Martins Vincent Otse on July 30 to substantiate the claims he has broadcast in the public domain. AIG Jimoh had previously broken his silence on the matter, advising his accuser to present credible evidence of corruption before the court or the proper authorities rather than resorting to social media campaigns.

• The FCID invitation to Otse seeks to verify public allegations.
• Internal questioning of AIG Jimoh is ongoing to ensure accountability.
• The Force maintains that complaints are best handled through established oversight channels like the Force Complaint Response Unit.

Constitutional Limits and Disciplinary Procedures

The Force further clarified that while Nigerians possess the constitutional right to freedom of expression, these rights do not protect defamation or efforts to force disciplinary actions outside of due process. The statement noted that discipline within the NPF is strictly regulated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Police Act 2020, and existing Police Regulations.

CSP Iniedu warned that the Force reserves the right to pursue legal remedies if allegations are found to be false and calculated to damage the reputation of its officers or the institution. The NPF urged all parties to allow the judicial process to proceed without further external interference to ensure the impartial administration of justice.

Allegations must be formally submitted, investigated and objectively assessed. Any officer found culpable following investigation will face sanctions in accordance with the law.

— CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Force

The NPF concluded by urging Otse to honor the FCID invitation and cooperate with the administrative review, reiterating that no officer is above the law and no genuine complaint is ignored when submitted through the proper legal and administrative channels.