The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Olohundare Jimoh has broken silence over the Ajiran murder case, saying anyone who is not happy with the case should head to court with any evidence.
Jimoh who is the Zone 2 Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Lagos and Ogun States Police Command stated this when a group of civil society organisation paid him a solidarity visit in Lagos.
The group said their visit was in reaction to the controversy that has now gone viral on the social media by a popular content creator, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, VDM.
AIG Jimoh declared that justice must prevail in the trial of the suspect linked to the double murder case that has generated controversy on social media.
Jimoh who appreciated the group led by Comrade Declan Ihakaire for their show of support, stated that no matter the blackmail or pressure would make him cower or compromise his stance on the issue.
He said the criticism stemmed from his time as Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, when he investigated a double murder dating back to 2023 and 2024, both predating his appointment to that office.
Jimoh said he acted on a petition forwarded by the Inspector General of Police following a complaint by the victims’ family through a representative, Chief Rotimi William Chambers.
According to Jimoh, investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, whose statements implicated a fourth individual, Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, who was declared wanted.
He said Akanbi was later returned to Nigeria with the assistance of Interpol Nigeria and its foreign counterparts and is currently standing trial.
He said he faced repeated pressure during the investigation, including attempts to influence him through family contacts and offers of financial inducement, all of which he rejected.
The Police Boss who did not name those allegedly involved, said the matter is now before the courts and that, as a serving officer, he could not comment further on its substance.
He said police involvement concluded once a case went to trial, and urged anyone with grievances about the investigation to pursue them through legal channels rather than the media.
Jimoh referenced criticism from VeryDarkBlackMan, saying he would not respond publicly to such commentary while the case remained sub judice.
He appealed to the media and online content creators to guard against being used to disparage police officers carrying out their duties.
Speaking for the group, leader of the delegation, Comrade Ihakaire, described the visit as a show of support against what he termed a campaign to discredit the AIG, citing his own past dealings with Jimoh as CP Lagos as inconsistent with the negative portrayal online.
According to him, the group is solidly behind AIG Jimoh because he is doing what is right and lawful, but if by tomorrow he decides to go the contrary, we will fight him.
In his words, for now, the group stand by the AIG, saying they can vouch for him, whoever is not satisfied with what he is doing can go to court and stop maligning him.
Ihakaire said Jimoh’s handling of the investigation had strengthened public confidence in the police.
Other delegates, including Comrades Olatunde Owoeye Wise, Efe Brume, Elijah Ajanu and lawyer Akintunde Adedeji, called for restraint in online commentary and urged that grievances against police officers must be pursued through the courts.
They called on police authorities to check leakages of internal information, saying such leaks undermined public trust and discouraged citizens from sharing information with the police.
The delegation urged greater regulation of online content creation to curb unwarranted attacks on public officers performing lawful duties, while maintaining that police conduct should remain open to scrutiny through appropriate channels.
We, as concerned civil rights advocates committed to the promotion of justice, accountability, and the rule of law, are compelled to address what we believe is a sustained campaign of misinformation surrounding the ongoing prosecution of those accused in the murders of Sheriff Ishola Salami, who was killed on April 18, 2023, and Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye, the first son of the Ojomu of Ajiranland, who was murdered on August 26, 2024, in Ajiran Community, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
As part of our commitment to ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor obstructed, we paid a solidarity visit to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command (Lagos and Ogun States), AIG Olohundare Jimoh, to acknowledge the efforts made under his leadership while he served as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, in advancing the investigation into the killings.
Our findings suggest that certain individuals have embarked on a deliberate campaign to discredit the Nigeria Police Force and AIG Olohundare Jimoh in what appears to be an attempt to influence public opinion and undermine confidence in the ongoing judicial process. For the record, AIG Jimoh assumed office as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, on February 18, 2025.
Available records indicate that the Lagos State Police Command received a petition from Olarotimi Williams Chambers requesting the investigation and prosecution of those allegedly responsible for the murders of the two victims. Following the petition, the Commissioner of Police approved a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
The investigation reportedly led to the arrest of two suspects, who allegedly made confessional statements detailing how the killings were carried out and identifying the person they claimed sponsored the crimes. Based on the outcome of the investigation, Lagos businessman Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi, also known as Ahmed Ajiran or Hamed Tajudeen, was declared wanted by the police in connection with the case.
Information available to us further indicates that, after alleged attempts to influence or compromise the investigation failed, efforts were made to interfere with the course of justice through various channels. It was also reported that Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi was subsequently arrested in the Republic of Benin and returned to Nigeria to face the legal process.
As the matter is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction, we consider it inappropriate to comment on the substantive issues before the court. We therefore urge all parties to respect the judicial process and allow the courts to determine the case based solely on the evidence presented before them, free from intimidation, misinformation, or external influence.
We firmly believe that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. While every defendant is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence and a fair hearing, the families of Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye equally deserve justice through a transparent and impartial legal process.
We also commend police officers who discharge their constitutional responsibilities with professionalism, courage, and integrity.
In our view, AIG Olohundare Jimoh demonstrated a commitment to accountability and the rule of law during his tenure as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
We therefore call on all stakeholders—including law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, civil society organisations, the media, and the public to support the due process of law and reject any attempt to derail the administration of justice through misinformation or undue pressure.
