VeryDarkMan
Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reaffirmed its commitment to due process, institutional discipline and the rule of law amid public controversy surrounding allegations involving Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, Moshood Jimoh.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police said recent comments and social media posts by social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), had prompted the Force to clarify the status of both the judicial and internal administrative processes.
According to the statement, the criminal matter referenced by VeryDarkMan has already been investigated and is before a court of competent jurisdiction after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) reviewed the case.
The Force stressed that because the matter is already before the court, it would not engage in media discussions capable of influencing the judicial process.
“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 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 read.
Beyond the court proceedings, the police disclosed that an internal review has also commenced.
It said the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) has invited AIG Moshood Jimoh for questioning over the allegations raised against him.
The Force also confirmed that on July 30, 2026, the FCID headquarters in Abuja formally invited VeryDarkMan to appear before investigators and provide evidence to support the claims he has made publicly.
According to the police, the invitations underscore its determination to investigate all credible complaints through established institutional channels, irrespective of the status of those involved.
“These steps reflect the Force’s standing commitment to investigate all credible allegations of misconduct, regardless of the rank of the officer involved or the public profile of the complainant, through its established channels, including the Force CID, the Force Complaint Response Unit, and, where applicable, the Office of the IGP,” the statement added.
The police further explained that disciplinary procedures within the Force are guided by the Constitution, the Police Act 2020, Police Regulations, Force Orders and other administrative frameworks, all of which apply equally to officers regardless of rank.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of Nigerians to express their opinions and demand accountability, the Force cautioned against using unverified allegations or public pressure to compel disciplinary action.
“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,” it stated.
The statement added that any officer found culpable after investigation would be sanctioned in accordance with the law, while false allegations deliberately aimed at damaging the reputation of officers or the institution could attract legal consequences.
The Force also urged VeryDarkMan to honour the invitation issued by the FCID and cooperate with investigators while allowing the judicial process in the separate criminal case to proceed without interference.
“The Nigeria Police Force urges Mr. Otse to honour the invitation extended by the Force CID, engage with the ongoing administrative review in good faith, and allow the judicial process governing the separate criminal matter to run its course. Grievances against officers are best resolved through established complaint and oversight mechanisms rather than public campaigns designed to force disciplinary outcomes,” the statement said.
Reaffirming its position, the police maintained that it remains committed to professionalism, accountability and impartial justice.
“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 Force reaffirms its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and the impartial administration of justice in the discharge of its constitutional mandate,” the statement concluded.
