Ajiran Killings: Records, Stakeholders Counter Corruption Allegations Against AIG Jimoh, Defend Role in Murder Investigation

 

A coalition of stakeholders and civil society groups has defended the conduct of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Olohundare Moshood Jimoh over the investigation into the Ajiran murder case, dismissing allegations of corruption and abuse of office as unfounded and unsupported by available records.

The defence follows allegations made by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who publicly described the Zone 2 Police Commander as "extremely corrupt" and accused him of compromising the investigation into the killings of two Ajiran princes. VDM also challenged the senior police officer to institute criminal defamation proceedings if the allegations were false.

However, documents reviewed by our correspondent indicate that AIG Jimoh's involvement in the case followed official directives from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) rather than personal initiative.

A memo dated April 22 and signed by Jimoh, addressed to the IGP, outlined the sequence of events leading to the reopening of the investigation. The document was prepared in response to a petition filed by A.O. Ajulo & Partners, legal representatives of businessman and murder suspect, Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi, who had accused the police chief of bias and abuse of office.

According to the memo, the case was reopened after Chief Rotimi Williams' Chambers, acting on behalf of the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family of Ajiran, petitioned the IGP on January 7, 2026, alleging that the murders of Prince Ademola Akinloye and Sheriff Ishola Salami had remained unresolved.

The following day, the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, Commissioner of Police Lateef Adio Ahmed, directed Jimoh, then Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, to investigate the petition.

The memo also addressed allegations that Akanbi was declared wanted without sufficient evidence. Investigation records indicated that detectives obtained statements from five complainants and witnesses, including the widow of one of the deceased, who reportedly narrated how her husband was shot and attacked with machetes while attempting to escape his assailants.

Police records further stated that two arrested suspects, Shafi Fatai, also known as Fabo, and Yusuf Ismaila, popularly called Bariga, made separate confessional statements alleging that Akanbi financed both killings, claiming he paid N2 million and N3 million respectively for the murders.

In addition, investigators documented the statement of a community witness who claimed to have recorded a telephone conversation in which Akanbi allegedly sought assistance to secure the release of the two suspects and facilitate the withdrawal of the murder charges in exchange for releasing disputed community land. The witness reportedly played the recording for the investigating officer.

On the legality of Akanbi's arrest, court documents attached to the memo showed that Magistrate Court 3, Ogba, Ikeja, on February 16, 2026, granted police leave to arrest and remand the suspect for 14 days. A subsequent order by the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 10, 2026, also authorised the issuance of a warrant of arrest to compel his appearance for investigation into allegations of conspiracy and murder.

Although the earlier magistrate court order was later set aside because the counsel who filed the application lacked the right of audience, the Federal High Court order remained valid and subsisting.

The memo equally denied allegations that Jimoh maintained personal contact with Akanbi after his arrest by INTERPOL authorities in the Republic of Benin on April 15. According to the document, the suspect was transferred to INTERPOL Nigeria and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, before being handed over to Zone 2 Command.

Jimoh stated that his role was limited to coordinating with the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of INTERPOL in Abuja and the Commissioner of Police, INTERPOL Lagos, to facilitate Akanbi's repatriation to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has commended Jimoh's handling of the investigation, describing his leadership as professional, diligent and strategic.

In a letter signed by its President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, the group praised the investigation, particularly the arrest of Akanbi and other suspects, as well as the process that culminated in their arraignment, saying the actions had strengthened public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.

The organisation, however, expressed concerns over the alleged conduct of some operatives attached to the Delta Force Unit of the SCID, Panti, Lagos, accusing them of displaying bias in favour of the accused persons during court proceedings.

CHSR urged the police hierarchy to ensure that officers handling the matter maintain professionalism and neutrality to preserve the integrity of the ongoing trial.