Support for Police and Judicial Process

A coalition of civil rights organisations has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Police Force over its handling of allegations involving the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Moshood Olohundare Jimoh. The group is calling for the ongoing Ajiran murder case to be determined strictly through the judicial process without interference from media campaigns.

The Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations for Good Governance stated that criminal investigations and judicial proceedings must be conducted within the framework of the law. They emphasized that these processes should not be influenced by what they described as "media trials" driven by social media narratives.

Concerns Over Social Media Influence

The position of the coalition was contained in a statement jointly signed by Comrade Olufemi Lawson and Chief Declan Ihekaire. The group commended the Police High Command for its commitment to professionalism and the rule of law in handling the controversy surrounding AIG Jimoh.

While noting that public scrutiny is an essential element of democracy, the coalition stressed that criminal investigations and court proceedings should not be reduced to social media content. They argued that AIG Jimoh, like every Nigerian citizen, is constitutionally entitled to defend himself through established investigative and judicial processes.

The criminal justice system must not be subjected to media trials or public opinion. Every Nigerian, irrespective of status, deserves fair hearing and the protection of the law

— Comrade Olufemi Lawson and Chief Declan Ihekaire, Co-signatories, Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations for Good Governance

Investigation of Document Leaks

The group expressed concern over the circulation of confidential investigative materials relating to the ongoing trial, warning that such leaks could compromise the integrity of criminal proceedings and prejudice the administration of justice. They called on the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a comprehensive internal investigation to establish the source of the leaked documents and identify those responsible for unauthorized disclosure.

According to the coalition, any individual found to have facilitated or participated in leaking official police documents should be investigated and subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the law. The group also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, for ensuring that criminal justice remains the responsibility of recognized agencies rather than public opinion shaped through social media.

Demand for Evidence-Based Prosecution

The coalition further maintained that the prosecution of Tajudeen Akanbi over the alleged Ajiran killings should be decided solely on the basis of admissible evidence presented before a court of competent jurisdiction. This process, they argued, must be free from intimidation, public pressure, or attempts to influence judicial proceedings through media campaigns.

Preserving the integrity of Nigeria's criminal justice system requires equal respect for the rights of victims, suspects, and law enforcement officers. The coalition urged all stakeholders to allow the police, oversight institutions, and the courts to perform their constitutional responsibilities without external interference, insisting that confidence in the justice system is strengthened when prosecutions are guided by the rule of law rather than public sentiment.