Di ongoing face-off between social media pesin, Martins Vincent Otse wey pipo know as VeryDarkMan, VDM, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police wey dey in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Moshood Jimoh, don evolve from ordinary social media quarrel to serious test of how Nigeria Police Force dey do accountability and integrity of di country criminal justice system.
Although pipo dey focus on di exchanges between di activist and di senior police officer, di real issues dey pass di two pipo. At di heart of di controversy na allegations concerning police investigation into di killings of Sheriff Salami for 2023 and Prince Ademola Akinloye for 2024 for Ajiran area of Eti-Osa, Lagos, and whether di investigation follow due process.
For weeks, VDM don release series of videos alleging say businessman, Ahmed Akanbi, dem wrongly implicate am for di murder case. According to am, suspects wey dem first arrest no mention Akanbi for dia confessional statements, but later statements wey link am to di crime dem allegedly obtain under pressure. E further allege say dem torture some suspects during di investigation and claim say dem try manipulate di outcome of di case.
While e dey insist say documentary evidence dey to back im allegations, VDM don repeatedly call for independent investigation. But im latest position don shift attention to another issue – im refusal to honour invitation to Lagos because of im personal safety. “I no dey come Lagos,” VDM declare for video wey e post for im social media platforms. According to am, di investigation should transfer to Abuja where Force Headquarters, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and oda senior police formations fit handle di matter.
“If anoda AIG dey in charge of Lagos command, I for go. But as long as AIG Moshood Jimoh remain there, I no go honour any invitation from Lagos regarding dis matter,” e talk. E express fear say dem fit make false allegations against am or plant incriminating items for im belongings if e travel to Lagos. E add say e intend to petition Inspector-General of Police to transfer di suspects wey dey involve for di case to Abuja because, according to am, e believe say dem fit no dey safe for Lagos.
Instead of joining issues with di activist for social media, di Nigeria Police Force don adopt two-pronged approach by separating di ongoing criminal proceedings from im internal administrative investigation. For statement by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, di police stress say di Ajiran murder case dem don already investigate and charge to court following legal advice from Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP. “Di criminal matter wey dem reference for public commentary dem investigate and e dey before court of competent jurisdiction following di advice of di Directorate of Public Prosecutions. As di matter dey sub judice, im adjudication rest solely with di judiciary,” di statement read.
Di Force also maintain say e no go “try di case for media” nor allow public campaigns to influence judicial proceedings. At di same time, di police confirm say di Assistant Inspector-General wey dey in charge of Force Criminal Investigation Department don invite AIG Moshood Jimoh for questioning over di allegations wey dem raise against am. Similarly, di FCID Headquarters for Abuja formally invite VDM to appear before investigators and substantiate di allegations wey e don make publicly.
According to di police, di steps dey underscore di Force commitment to investigate allegations of misconduct “regardless of di rank of di officer involved or di public profile of di complainant.” Di Force add say complaints against police officers dey investigate through established channels, including di FCID, di Force Complaint Response Unit and, where necessary, di Office of di Inspector-General of Police.
Di Inspector-General of Police now face di delicate task of protecting di integrity of ongoing murder trial while ensuring say allegations against senior police officer receive fair and independent hearing. Di Force decision to invite both AIG Jimoh and VDM reflect attempt to balance accountability with due process.
Traditionally, di Nigeria Police Force no dey conduct disciplinary proceedings for public space. Except where investigations don conclude and dem impose sanctions, allegations against officers dey usually handle through internal mechanisms before any disciplinary action dem announce. Dis explain di Force insistence say while di murder case remain before di courts, di administrative allegations against di senior officer go follow separate investigative procedures.
Perhaps di greatest lesson from di controversy na say dem no go reduce am to contest between two individuals. Di real issue na whether criminal investigations dey conduct professionally, objectively and without undue influence. Police investigation reports often dey form di foundation wey criminal prosecutions dey build on. If dem compromise those investigations, di consequences fit affect suspects, victims and families wey dey seek justice.
Di controversy don also highlight increasing role of citizens and digital platforms for demanding accountability from public institutions. But e equally reinforce di principle say allegations, no matter how serious, dem must ultimately test through lawful investigative procedures and judicial processes. While acknowledging Nigerians constitutional right to hold public institutions accountable, di police caution against using unsubstantiated allegations to compel disciplinary outcomes outside established procedures. “Allegations must be formally submitted, investigated and objectively assessed. Any officer wey dem find culpable following investigation go face sanctions according to law,” di Force state.
