The Nigeria Police Force says it remains committed to due process, institutional discipline and the rule of law following 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 X on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the criminal matter mentioned in recent public comments by VeryDarkMan had already been investigated and taken before a court after legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
The police said that because the case is already before a court of competent jurisdiction, only the judiciary can determine its outcome.
According to the statement, the Force will not conduct the trial in the media or allow public campaigns and commentary to influence the judicial process.
The police also disclosed that the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department had invited AIG Moshood Jimoh for questioning over the allegations made against him.
In addition, the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja reportedly issued a formal invitation to VeryDarkMan on July 30, 2026, asking him to appear before investigators and provide evidence to support the allegations he made publicly.
The Force said the invitations demonstrate its willingness to investigate all credible allegations of misconduct, regardless of the rank of the officer involved or the status of the complainant.
It added that disciplinary procedures within the Police are governed by the Constitution, the Police Act 2020, Police Regulations, Force Orders and other established administrative processes.
While recognising Nigerians’ constitutional right to freedom of expression and criticism of public institutions, the police cautioned against spreading allegations that have not been substantiated.
The statement stressed that freedom of expression does not include defamation or attempts to force disciplinary action through public pressure.
The police said any officer found guilty after investigation would face sanctions in accordance with the law, while individuals who make false allegations intended to damage the reputation of officers or the institution may also face legal consequences.
The Force urged VeryDarkMan to honour the invitation from the Force CID and allow both the administrative review and the court proceedings to proceed through the appropriate legal channels.
It added that complaints against police officers are best handled through established complaint and oversight mechanisms rather than public campaigns aimed at compelling disciplinary outcomes.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated that no officer is above the law and pledged to continue upholding professionalism, transparency and accountability in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
