The Nigeria Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to due process, institutional discipline and the rule of law amid the controversy involving social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, AIG Moshood Jimoh.
In a statement posted on its official X handle on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the criminal matter referenced in VeryDarkMan's recent public comments had been thoroughly investigated and was already before a court following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The police stressed that since the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, its determination lies exclusively 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 said.
The Force, however, disclosed that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) had invited AIG Moshood Jimoh for questioning over the allegations made against him.
It also revealed that the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja issued a formal invitation to VeryDarkMan on July 30, 2026, requesting that he appear before investigators to provide evidence in support of the allegations he made publicly.
According to the police, the invitation underscores the Force's commitment to investigating every credible allegation of misconduct, irrespective of the rank of the officer involved or the status of the complainant.
The statement noted that disciplinary proceedings within the Nigeria Police Force are governed by the Constitution, the Police Act 2020, Police Regulations, Force Orders and other established administrative procedures.
While acknowledging Nigerians' constitutional right to freedom of expression and to criticise public institutions, the Force cautioned against the dissemination of unverified allegations.
It emphasised that the right to free expression does not extend to defamation or attempts to pressure the police into taking disciplinary action through media campaigns or public opinion.
The police further stated that any officer found culpable after due investigation would be sanctioned in accordance with the law, while individuals found to have made false allegations with the intent to damage the reputation of officers or the institution could also face legal consequences.
The Force urged VeryDarkMan to honour the invitation extended by the FCID and allow both the administrative investigation and ongoing judicial proceedings to take their lawful course.
"Grievances against officers are best resolved through established complaint and oversight mechanisms rather than public campaigns designed to force disciplinary outcomes," the statement added.
Reaffirming its commitment to accountability, the Nigeria Police Force maintained that no officer is above the law and pledged to continue upholding professionalism, transparency and accountability in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
