The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, has publicly addressed the controversial Ajiran double murder case for the first time, declaring that anyone dissatisfied with the police investigation should approach the court with credible evidence rather than wage campaigns on social media.
Jimoh made the remarks in Lagos while receiving a delegation of civil society organisations that paid him a solidarity visit amid growing public debate surrounding the ongoing murder trial.
The visit followed widespread social media reactions generated by comments from popular content creator Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, over the handling of the high profile case.
Responding to the controversy, the AIG maintained that justice must take its full course, stressing that the police would not be distracted by public pressure, blackmail or media campaigns aimed at influencing the judicial process.
He thanked the delegation led by Comrade Declan Ihakaire for its support, assuring them that his commitment to justice and professional policing would remain unwavering regardless of external pressures.
Jimoh explained that the investigation originated during his tenure as Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, involving two murder cases committed between 2023 and 2024 before he assumed office.
According to him, the investigation commenced after the Inspector General of Police forwarded a petition submitted by the victims’ family through their representative, Chief Rotimi William Chambers.
He disclosed that detectives arrested two suspects during the investigation, whose confessional statements allegedly linked another suspect, Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, prompting the police to declare him wanted.
The AIG said Akanbi was eventually returned to Nigeria through the collaborative efforts of Interpol Nigeria and international law enforcement agencies and is currently facing trial before a competent court.
Jimoh further revealed that throughout the investigation he encountered repeated attempts to compromise the process through family contacts and alleged financial inducements, all of which he firmly rejected.
Without identifying those behind the alleged pressure, the police chief said the matter had entered the judicial stage, making it inappropriate for him as a serving officer to discuss details capable of affecting the ongoing trial.
He reiterated that once criminal proceedings begin, the responsibility shifts to the judiciary, urging aggrieved parties to ventilate their concerns through lawful judicial channels instead of media platforms.
Jimoh also declined to engage publicly with criticisms attributed to VeryDarkMan, insisting that commenting on issues before the court would be improper while the matter remains pending before the judiciary.
He appealed to journalists, digital publishers and content creators to exercise restraint and professionalism, warning against becoming tools for campaigns that could unfairly tarnish officers performing their constitutional responsibilities.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Comrade Declan Ihakaire said the visit was intended to counter what he described as a sustained attempt to discredit the AIG despite his record of professionalism while serving as Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
Ihakaire maintained that the group would continue supporting Jimoh because his actions remained lawful, adding that should he ever depart from the path of justice, the same organisations would hold him accountable.
He said members of the coalition could personally attest to the AIG’s integrity and urged anyone dissatisfied with the police investigation to pursue legal remedies rather than resort to public attacks and character assassination.
Other members of the delegation, including Comrades Olatunde Owoeye Wise, Efe Brume, Elijah Ajanu and legal practitioner Akintunde Adedeji, called for responsible online engagement, stronger safeguards against leaks of confidential police information and continued public scrutiny of law enforcement through legitimate legal and institutional channels, insisting that such measures would strengthen confidence in the justice system.