The Nigeria Police Force has urged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to honour its invitation and substantiate allegations he made against the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, AIG Moshood Jimoh.

VeryDarkMan had earlier rejected the invitation to appear before the police in Lagos on August 10, alleging that the move was an attempt to intimidate and silence him over evidence he claims to possess in a controversial murder investigation.

In a viral video recorded outside the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) headquarters in Abuja, VeryDarkMan had insisted that any investigation involving him should be conducted in Abuja, where the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters is located, rather than in Lagos.

The activist accused AIG Moshood of compromising investigations into the murders of Sherry Salami and Prince Ademola Akinloye. He further alleged that Ahmed Tajudeen was wrongly accused of the killings without a proper investigation, claiming investigators ignored the suspects’ initial statements before later obtaining confessional statements through torture. He also alleged that one suspect died in police custody and questioned the whereabouts of an individual identified as “Bode,” whom he said was mentioned by the suspects in their earlier account.

Meanwhile, the Police Headquarters disclosed that AIG Jimoh had also been invited for questioning as part of its internal administrative review, stressing that no officer is above investigation and that disciplinary action would only follow due process.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police said the criminal matter referenced in public discussions had already been investigated and was currently before a court of competent jurisdiction following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

“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.

The Force explained that, independent of the ongoing court proceedings, it had activated its internal accountability mechanisms by directing the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department to question AIG Jimoh over the allegations raised.

It further disclosed that the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja formally issued a letter of invitation to VeryDarkMan on July 30, 2026, requesting him to appear before investigators and provide evidence to support the claims he made publicly.

According to the police, the invitations underscore its commitment to investigating all credible allegations of misconduct, regardless of the rank of the officer involved or the public profile of the complainant.

The statement noted that disciplinary processes within the Force are guided by the Constitution, the Police Act 2020, Police Regulations, Force Orders and other established administrative procedures, which apply equally to all officers.

While acknowledging citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression and to demand accountability from public institutions, the Force warned that such rights do not extend to defamation or the dissemination of unverified allegations intended to compel disciplinary action outside established legal procedures.

“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,” the statement added.

The police maintained that any officer found culpable after 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 face legal action.

The Force urged VeryDarkMan to honour the invitation extended by the FCID and cooperate with the ongoing administrative review, while allowing the judicial process in the separate criminal matter to proceed without interference.

Reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, transparency and accountability, the Nigeria Police Force insisted that no officer would be shielded from investigation, just as none would be punished outside the procedures prescribed by law.