The Nigeria Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to due process, institutional discipline, and the rule of law in response to the ongoing controversy involving social media influencer Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Moshood Jimoh, who oversees Zone 2, Lagos.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu clarified that the criminal matter raised in recent public comments by VeryDarkMan had already been investigated and is currently before a court, following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
The police emphasized that, since the case is now before a court of competent jurisdiction, its resolution rests with the judiciary alone. The Force stated it would not engage in a media trial or allow public campaigns to influence the outcome or prejudge any party involved.
The statement further revealed that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police heading the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) had summoned AIG Jimoh for questioning regarding the allegations against him. Additionally, the FCID in Abuja formally invited VeryDarkMan on July 30, 2026, to present evidence supporting his claims before investigators.
This, according to the police, demonstrates their commitment to investigating all credible allegations of misconduct, regardless of the rank of the officer involved or the status of the complainant. The Force also reiterated that disciplinary actions are governed by the Constitution, the Police Act 2020, Police Regulations, Force Orders, and other administrative protocols.
While acknowledging Nigerians’ constitutional right to free expression and the critique of public institutions, the Force cautioned against spreading unsubstantiated allegations. The statement pointed out that freedom of expression does not cover defamation or attempts to compel disciplinary action through public pressure.
The police stressed that any officer found guilty after due investigation would face appropriate sanctions, while false accusations intended to tarnish the reputation of officers or the institution could lead to legal consequences.
The Force urged VeryDarkMan to comply with the FCID’s invitation and called for both the administrative review and judicial proceedings to be allowed to take their due course. It noted that grievances against officers are best addressed through established complaint channels and oversight mechanisms, rather than through public campaigns intended to force disciplinary measures.
Reaffirming its stance, the Nigeria Police Force stated that no officer is above the law and pledged ongoing professionalism, transparency, and accountability in fulfilling its constitutional duties.
