The controversy surrounding the investigation into the Ajiran double murder case has resurfaced after social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), renewed allegations against Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Moshood Jimoh, challenging the senior officer to institute legal action if his claims are false.
In a post shared on his social media page, VDM accused AIG Jimoh of compromising the investigation into the killings and alleged that the police officer posed a threat to Nigeria’s justice system.
“AIG Zone 2 Command Jimoh Moshood, I am challenging you with another piece of evidence. If this is a lie, I should be charged in court,” VDM wrote.
He further alleged that he had heard AIG Jimoh was being considered as a possible successor to the current Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
“I want you to know you will never be the IG of Police in this country. You are a threat to Nigeria’s justice system. If someone like you becomes the IG, you will completely ruin Nigeria,” he stated.
VDM also questioned what he described as the possibility of a senior police officer allegedly helping associates implicate rivals in murder cases.
The controversy stems from the investigation into the killings of Sheriff Ishola Salami in 2023 and Prince Ademola Akinloye, son of the Ojomu of Ajiran, who was killed in 2024.
Following petitions and what the Nigeria Police described as fresh intelligence, the force reopened investigations into the murders.
Police investigators said new evidence, including witness accounts and alleged confessional statements, led them to identify businessman Ahmed (Hammed) Tajudeen Akanbi as the alleged sponsor of the killings.
He was subsequently declared wanted, arrested in the Republic of Benin through INTERPOL, and returned to Nigeria to face prosecution.
However, the investigation soon became controversial, with some lawyers, civil society groups and VDM alleging that the probe was politically motivated and accusing AIG Jimoh of corruption and abuse of office.
Amid the renewed allegations, a separate write-up circulating online titled “Ajiran Double Murder: Setting the Record Straight” argued that available documents and official records contradict claims that the investigation was manipulated.
According to the report, the investigation was conducted at the direction of the Inspector-General of Police and was supported by official case files, witness statements, alleged confessional statements, and court processes.
The report maintained that allegations of corruption against AIG Jimoh were not supported by the documentary evidence available.
It added that determining the truth of the allegations remains the responsibility of the courts rather than social media.
“Whether those allegations are true or false is ultimately a matter for the courts, not social media. Allegations are not evidence. Every accused person enjoys the constitutional presumption of innocence, while every investigator is also entitled to the benefit of the law until credible evidence proves misconduct,” the report stated.
It further noted that justice in the Ajiran double murder case should be determined through admissible evidence and judicial proceedings rather than public opinion.
The renewed controversy has generated mixed reactions on social media.
A Facebook user, Tando Yawson Samuel, argued that AIG Jimoh’s failure to sue VDM could be interpreted by some as uncertainty over the allegations.
“If the so-called Jimoh had a clear conscience,e he would have challenged VDM with a lawsuit, but it’s evident that he’s unsure of the evidence at hand,” he wrote, while urging VDM to consider participating in politics.
Another commenter, Marah Fayamba, called for formal petitions to relevant oversight agencies if credible evidence exists.
“If there is credible evidence of misconduct, then the matter should be submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and also to the Nigeria Police Force Internal Affairs Department for a full administrative investigation,” Fayamba said.
She also urged the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Police Affairs to exercise their oversight responsibilities if necessary.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force and AIG Moshood Jimoh had not publicly responded to VDM’s latest allegations.
