The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) and the South West Youth Alliance (SWYA) have dismissed allegations of corruption levelled against the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, over the investigation into the Ajiran murder case in Lagos.
The groups criticised social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for accusing the senior police officer of compromising the investigation without presenting documentary evidence to support his claims.
VDM had described Jimoh as “extremely corrupt” and alleged that he posed a threat to the justice system, challenging the AIG to institute criminal defamation proceedings if the allegations were untrue.
Responding, CHSR said the accusations were unfounded, noting that claims regarding the alleged disappearance of statements made by two suspects, identified as Shafi Fatai (alias Fabo) and Yusuf Ismaila (alias Bariga), were not supported by available investigation records.
The rights group pointed to official police documents showing that Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, the principal suspect, was arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in Benin Republic on April 15, 2026, and transferred to Nigeria two days later.
Police had earlier displayed items recovered from him, including a 2017 Lexus LX570, a passport and two mobile phones.
According to the records, Jimoh’s involvement followed a directive from the Inspector-General of Police after a petition by the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family of Ajiran, which alleged that the killings of Prince Ademola Akinloye and Sheriff Ishola Salami had remained unresolved.
A memo dated April 22, 2026, and addressed by Jimoh to the Inspector-General detailed the investigative process and rejected allegations of bias and abuse of office raised by Akanbi’s legal representatives.
Investigation records cited in the memo indicate that five witnesses, including the widow of one of the victims, gave statements to the police.The file also contains confessional statements allegedly made by Fatai and Ismaila, in which they claimed Akanbi ordered and financed the killings.
The memo further referenced a community witness who reportedly presented a recorded telephone conversation in which Akanbi allegedly sought the release of the arrested suspects and withdrawal of the murder charges in exchange for resolving a disputed land matter.
On claims that Akanbi was declared wanted without legal authority, the documents showed that both a Magistrate’s Court in Ikeja and the Federal High Court in Lagos issued separate orders authorising his arrest.
Although the earlier magistrate’s order was later set aside on procedural grounds, the Federal High Court warrant issued on April 10, 2026, remained valid.
The memo also denied allegations that Jimoh had personal contact with Akanbi after his arrest, stating that the suspect remained in INTERPOL and State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) custody until his transfer to Zone 2.
In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, CHSR said Jimoh’s handling of the investigation had strengthened public confidence in the police.
The group, however, urged officers attached to the Delta Force Unit of SCID Panti to remain impartial during the ongoing trial.
Similarly, SWYA Coordinator Adenike Ajanlekoko said the group’s independent findings showed that statements from key suspects had been obtained long before Akanbi’s arrest, insisting that attempts to distort the investigation undermined the rule of law.
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