The Nigeria Police Force has commenced an internal administrative review involving Moshood Jimoh, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, following corruption allegations levelled against him by Martins Vincent Otse, a social media personality popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

The Force, however, clarified that the criminal case linked 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), stressing that it would not allow public commentary or social media campaigns to interfere with judicial proceedings.

The clarification was contained in a statement on Tuesday by Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer,   amid growing public debate generated by a series of videos posted online by the activist.

According to the statement, the Police have also formally invited VeryDarkMan to appear before the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja to substantiate the allegations he has repeatedly made against the senior police officer.

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“The Nigeria Police Force notes recent public statements and social media commentary by Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), concerning the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, and an ongoing criminal matter,” the Police statement noted.

“The Force wishes to place the following facts on record and clarify the status of both the judicial and administrative processes involved.”

The Police explained that while the criminal aspect of the matter is already before the courts, a separate internal accountability process has been activated to examine the allegations against the senior officer.

According to the Force, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department has invited Jimoh for questioning as part of the ongoing administrative review.

“The criminal matter referenced in public commentary was investigated and is now before a court of competent jurisdiction, following the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

“As the matter is subjudice, its adjudication rests solely with the judiciary,” the statement added.

The Police maintained that they would not conduct parallel trials through the media or permit social media narratives to determine the outcome of either the judicial or administrative processes.

“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,” the statement noted.

It further disclosed that the Force Criminal Investigation Department formally issued an invitation letter to VeryDarkMan on July 30, 2026, requesting him to report to its Abuja office and provide evidence to support the allegations he has made publicly.

According to the Police, both the invitation extended to Jimoh and the summons issued to the social media personality demonstrate the institution’s commitment to ensuring that every credible allegation of misconduct is investigated irrespective of the rank of the officer involved or the status of the complainant.

The Force stated that complaints against police personnel are handled through established institutional mechanisms, including the Force CID, the Force Complaint Response Unit and, where necessary, the Office of the Inspector-General of Police.

The controversy stems from a series of videos released by VeryDarkMan over the past several weeks, in which he accused  Jimoh of corruption and abuse of office.

The activist alleged that while serving as Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, officers under Jimoh’s supervision allegedly framed businessman Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi in connection with two high-profile murder cases involving Sheriff Ishola (also known as Isola Salami), who was killed in April 2023, and Prince Ademola Akinloye, who was murdered in August 2024 in the Ajiran area of Eti-Osa, Lagos.

According to VeryDarkMan, two suspects arrested in January 2026 initially confessed to involvement in the killing of Salami through video-recorded statements without mentioning Akanbi.

He, however, alleged that subsequent statements linking the businessman to the murder were obtained after the suspects were subjected to pressure and torture.

The social media influencer repeatedly challenged Jimoh to produce the original statements made by the suspects, insisting that if his allegations were proven false, he should be made to face the full weight of the law.

In several follow-up videos, he continued to demand an independent review of the investigation and the evidence surrounding the murder cases.

Reacting to the public campaign, the Nigeria Police Force reiterated that disciplinary proceedings involving police officers are governed by the Constitution, the Police Act 2020, Police Regulations, Force Orders and other established administrative procedures.

The Force acknowledged the constitutional rights of Nigerians to demand accountability from public institutions and affirmed that constructive criticism remains essential to democratic policing.

However, it cautioned against making or circulating allegations that cannot be substantiated.

“The Force affirms the constitutional right of every Nigerian to freedom of expression and to demand accountability from public institutions; constructive criticism remains vital to democratic policing.

“That said, 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 statement said.

The Police warned that any officer found culpable after investigations would be sanctioned in accordance with the law, while individuals who deliberately make false allegations capable of damaging the reputation of police officers or the institution could equally face legal consequences.

The Force urged VeryDarkMan to honour the invitation extended to him by the Force CID and cooperate fully with investigators by presenting any evidence in his possession.

Reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, transparency and accountability, the Police insisted that no officer is above the law and that all genuine complaints would be investigated through the legal and institutional channels provided by law.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains an institution founded on law, discipline, and accountability. No officer is above the law, and no genuine complaint is ignored; nor will any officer be sanctioned outside the procedures the law prescribes,” the statement noted.

Jimoh was appointed as the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) by Ibrahim Idris,
the then Inspector-General of Police,  on January 30, 2017, and served in the capacity until January 2019.