Assistant Inspector General of Police Olohundare Moshood Jimoh has declared that justice must prevail in the trial of a suspect linked to a double murder case that has generated controversy on social media.

Jimoh broke his silence on the issue while playing host to some rights activists who visited him at the Zone 2 headquarters in Lagos to show their support.

The senior police officer thanked the delegation for their show of support but emphasised that no matter of blackmail or pressure would make him cower or compromise his stance on the issue.

The AIG said the criticism stemmed from his time as Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, when he investigated a double murder dating back to 2023 and 2024, both predating his appointment to that office. He said he acted on a petition forwarded by the Inspector General of Police following a complaint by the victims’ family through a representative, Chief Rotimi William Chambers.

According to Jimoh, investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, whose statements implicated a fourth individual, Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, who was declared wanted. He said Akanbi was later returned to Nigeria with the assistance of Interpol Nigeria and its foreign counterparts and is currently standing trial.

He said he faced repeated pressure during the investigation, including attempts to influence him through family contacts and offers of financial inducement, all of which he rejected. He did not name those allegedly involved.

The AIG said the matter is now before the courts and that, as a serving officer, he could not comment further on its substance. He said police involvement concluded once a case went to trial, and urged anyone with grievances about the investigation to pursue them through legal channels rather than the media.

Jimoh referenced criticism from a social media commentator known as VeryDarkMan, saying he would not respond publicly to such commentary while the case remained sub judice. He appealed to the media and online content creators to guard against being used to disparage police officers carrying out their duties.

Speaking for the coalition, leader of the delegation, Declan Ihakaire, described the visit as a show of support against what he termed a campaign to discredit the AIG, citing his own past dealings with Jimoh as CP Lagos as inconsistent with the negative portrayal online.

“So take it from us that as long as the current AIG is doing what is right and lawful, we are solidly behind him. But if by tomorrow he decides to go the contrary, we will fight him.

“For now, we stand by him, we can vouch for him. Whoever is not satisfied with what he’s doing can go to court and stop maligning him. Go to court and challenge this person. Don’t call him names.

“You are only insulting that office. When he retires, call him anything you want to call him. But as long as he’s occupying the position in this country today, you cannot malign him,” said Ihakaire.

Other delegates, including Olatunde Owoeye Wise, Efe Brume, Elijah Ajanu and lawyer Akintunde Adedeji, echoed calls for restraint in online commentary and urged that grievances against police officers be pursued through the courts.

They called on police authorities to check leakages of internal information, saying such leaks undermined public trust and discouraged citizens from sharing information with the police.

The delegation urged greater regulation of online content creation to curb unwarranted attacks on public officers performing lawful duties, while maintaining that police conduct should remain open to scrutiny through appropriate channels. (The Nation)

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