The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has urged Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to honour its invitation and provide evidence to support his allegations against Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Moshood Jimoh, the officer overseeing Zone 2.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force spokesperson, Ani Iniedu, said complaints against police officers should be addressed through official channels rather than public campaigns.
According to Iniedu, the allegations levelled against Jimoh must be “formally submitted, investigated, and objectively assessed”.
Background to the controversy
The issue stems from the case involving Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi, a Lagos-based businessman who was arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in Cotonou, Benin Republic, in April over alleged involvement in two murder cases between 2023 and 2024.
Akanbi had earlier been declared wanted by the police in February over alleged links to violent crimes in Ajiran community, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
He was accused of alleged destruction of property and claims that he sponsored attacks in the Ajiran community, where Ademola Akinloye, the son of a traditional ruler, was killed.
INTERPOL later arrested Akanbi at a hotel in Cotonou after months of investigation and tracking.
Jimoh had disclosed that Sheriff Ishola, a youth leader, was killed on April 18, 2023, while Akinloye was murdered on August 26, 2024, with both incidents occurring in the Eti-Osa area of Lagos.
However, in several videos shared online, VeryDarkMan criticised the police for identifying Akanbi as a suspect, insisting that the businessman was wrongly accused.
The activist alleged that Jimoh worked with some individuals to frame Akanbi due to a land dispute.
Responding to the claims, Jimoh stated that the matter was already before the court and maintained that the police had “good evidence that can stand the test of trial” against Akanbi.
Police invite Jimoh, summon VeryDarkMan
The police spokesperson revealed that Jimoh had been invited by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja to answer questions regarding the allegations made by VeryDarkMan.
Iniedu said the invitation demonstrated the police force’s “commitment to investigate all credible allegations of misconduct, regardless of the rank of the officer involved”.
She added that while the criminal case remains before the court, the police have also begun an internal administrative review.
“The Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, on 30th July 2026, formally issued a letter of invitation to Mr. Otse (VeryDarkMan), inviting him to appear at its Abuja office to substantiate the claims he has made in the public domain,” the statement read.
“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. Allegations must be formally submitted, investigated, and objectively assessed.
“Any officer found culpable following investigation will face sanctions in accordance with the law.
“Equally, where allegations are established to be false and calculated to damage the reputation of an officer or the institution, the Force reserves the right to pursue appropriate legal remedies.”
The police urged VeryDarkMan to appear before the FCID, participate in the ongoing review process in good faith, and allow the judicial process concerning the separate criminal case to proceed.