By Seyi Odewale
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the commencement of an internal investigation into the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Moshood Jimoh, following corruption allegations made against him by social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The Force disclosed that the senior police officer has been invited for questioning under its internal disciplinary process, while Otse has also been summoned to provide evidence to substantiate the allegations he made publicly.
The Police clarified that the criminal case connected to the allegations has already been investigated and is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction based on legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, stressing that the Force would allow the judicial process to run its course without interference.
“The criminal matter referenced in public commentary has been investigated and is now before a court of competent jurisdiction following the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. As the matter is sub judice, its determination rests entirely with the judiciary,” the statement said.
The Police insisted that it would not permit public campaigns or social media commentary to influence ongoing judicial proceedings.
“The Force will not try this case in the media, nor will it allow its outcome to be shaped by public campaigns or commentary seeking to prejudge the officers or parties involved,” it stated.
The Force, however, explained that the ongoing administrative investigation into AIG Jimoh is separate from the criminal proceedings before the court.
According to the statement, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) has already invited the Zone 2 AIG to respond to the allegations levelled against him.
The Police further disclosed that the Force CID, Abuja, formally wrote to VeryDarkMan on July 30, 2026, requesting his appearance to present evidence in support of the claims he circulated on social media.
“The Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, formally invited Mr Martins Vincent Otse to appear and substantiate the allegations he has made in the public domain,” the statement added.
The Force maintained that the invitations underscore its commitment to investigating every credible complaint, irrespective of the rank of the officer involved or the status of the complainant.
It noted that allegations of misconduct are handled through established accountability channels, including the Force CID, the Complaint Response Unit and, where necessary, the Office of the Inspector-General of Police.
The controversy followed a series of videos released in recent weeks by VeryDarkMan, in which he accused AIG Jimoh of corruption and abuse of office.
The social media personality alleged that while serving as Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Jimoh supervised investigations that wrongly implicated businessman Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi in connection with the killings of Sheriff Ishola Salami in April 2023 and Demola Akinloye in August 2024 in the Ajiran area of Eti-Osa, Lagos.
Otse claimed that two suspects arrested in January 2026 initially confessed to involvement in one of the killings without mentioning Akanbi, alleging that subsequent statements implicating the businessman were extracted under pressure.
He repeatedly challenged the senior police officer to release the suspects’ original statements, insisting that if his allegations proved false, he should face the consequences.
While reaffirming Nigerians’ constitutional right to freedom of expression and public criticism of government institutions, the Police warned that such rights must not be abused through defamatory or unverified allegations.
“Freedom of expression does not extend to defamation or the amplification of unsubstantiated allegations as a means of compelling disciplinary outcomes outside due process,” the Force stated.
The Police added that any officer found culpable after due investigation would face appropriate disciplinary sanctions in accordance with the law, while individuals who deliberately make false allegations capable of damaging the reputation of officers or the institution could equally be subjected to legal action.
Reiterating its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Force urged VeryDarkMan to honour the invitation extended by the Force CID and allow both the administrative investigation and ongoing court proceedings to take their full course.
“No officer is above the law, no genuine complaint is ignored, and no officer will be sanctioned outside the procedures prescribed by law,” the statement said.
