The Police Integrity Organisation (PIO) has publicly accused activist Vincent Otse Martins, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), of manipulating facts surrounding the 2023 double murder case in the Ajiro community of Lagos State. During a press briefing held in Abuja on August 14, PIO convener Isaiah Davies Ijele claimed that VDM is deliberately shielding suspects involved in the case.
Ijele alleged that two of the suspects arrested in connection with the murders confessed to being promised N500,000 each and foreign trips as rewards for their involvement in the killings. He described VDM's actions as an attempt to mislead the public regarding the investigation, particularly in relation to one Ahmed Tajudeen, who is believed to have coordinated the murders.
The PIO emphasized that the investigation into the Ajiro murders had previously stalled under former Lagos State Commissioners of Police until AIG Moshood Jimoh took charge of the case, following direct instructions from Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu. Ijele stated, "The only crime of the AIG was his resolve to investigate the matter as instructed by the Inspector General of Police and fish out the culprits behind the killings."
The group also raised concerns about a messenger linked to Tajudeen who reportedly became the chairman of the Road Transport Workers union in Aja shortly after the murders, suggesting this was part of the rewards promised for their involvement in the crime.
In a challenge to VDM, Ijele accused him of misrepresenting a Federal High Court ruling that had restrained the police from arresting Tajudeen. He clarified that the ruling only addressed Tajudeen's fundamental human rights and did not exonerate him from the allegations. The police are reportedly in the process of appealing this aspect of the judgment.
Ijele noted that VDM had initially accepted a challenge for a public debate but failed to appear, which he interpreted as evidence of manipulative intent. He questioned why VDM had not responded to invitations from police authorities in Lagos and Abuja to present evidence regarding his claims.
Unekwu Ocheje, another executive of the PIO, criticized VDM for relying on a single source for his public statements about the police and AIG Jimoh, urging the public to verify information independently. Social commentator Sergent Mario echoed this sentiment, stating that social media should not replace the judicial process, reminding the public that "Social media is not the court of law."
Ijele concluded the briefing by commending the Inspector General of Police for his thorough handling of the investigation, assuring the public that evidence would emerge in due course. The PIO's statements come as the Nigeria Police Force reiterated that the criminal case linked to the Ajiro murders is currently before a competent court and should proceed without public interference.
Sources
- Legit Original article
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