By Gloria Fraser, MFR
In every democracy, public officials are expected to account for their actions and welcome legitimate scrutiny. Equally, however, the rule of law demands that allegations be supported by evidence, not by repetition on social media. When unverified accusations are repeatedly amplified without proof, the issue extends beyond one individual; it becomes a test of the integrity of public discourse and the institutions responsible for safeguarding it.
The National Patriots has expressed concern over what it describes as a sustained wave of allegations targeting Assistant Inspector-General of Police Moshood Olohundare Jimoh, many of which relate to matters that either predate his assumption of office or remain before the courts.
According to the organisation, three issues have dominated online discussions: the investigation into the death of musician Ilerioluwa Aloba (Mohbad), the Ajiran double murder investigation and allegations relating to an alleged land-grabbing complaint.
On the Mohbad case, the chronology is not in dispute. Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, while Moshood Jimoh did not assume office as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command until February 18, 2025—approximately seventeen months later. The National Patriots argues that this publicly available timeline should caution against attributing responsibility for the original investigation to an officer who was not serving in that capacity at the material time.
Regarding the Ajiran double murder case, the organisation notes that the matter remains before a competent court. It maintains that questions regarding the investigation, evidence and the conduct of police officers should ultimately be determined through judicial proceedings rather than social media campaigns.
On the land dispute allegations, the National Patriots observes that complaints and petitions are not, in themselves, proof of criminal conduct. It notes that publicly reported information indicates the matter was regarded by the police as civil in nature. In the absence of a judicial finding or disciplinary determination, the organisation says it would be inconsistent with the principles of due process to present allegations as established facts.
The organisation further expresses concern over the circulation of unverified materials, including a purported Nigeria Police “wanted” poster bearing the AIG’s image, urging that any such publication be subjected to forensic examination to determine its authenticity and origin. It argues that if official police branding is fabricated or manipulated, the issue affects public confidence in state institutions as much as it affects the reputation of the individual concerned.
While stopping short of alleging a coordinated conspiracy, the National Patriots says the repeated emergence of unrelated allegations against the same officer raises legitimate questions that deserve objective examination. It notes that Jimoh has earned a reputation during his policing career for intelligence-led operations, operational discipline and professional conduct, making it all the more important that criticisms of his work be evaluated on evidence rather than assumption.
The organisation also calls on the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to respond where appropriate to misinformation that may undermine confidence in the institution. It argues that silence in the face of demonstrably false or misleading claims can allow misinformation to gain undue traction.
“The issue today may concern one senior police officer,” the National Patriots stated, “but tomorrow it could concern another Commissioner of Police, an Assistant Inspector-General or even the Inspector-General himself. The protection of reputations through due process is ultimately the protection of the integrity of our institutions.”
The organisation therefore urged social media users, bloggers, digital publishers and online commentators to exercise greater responsibility before circulating allegations involving public officials. It also called on law enforcement agencies to investigate instances where fabricated documents or knowingly false publications may have been used to mislead the public, while ensuring that any action taken fully respects constitutional guarantees of free expression.
According to the National Patriots, Nigeria’s democracy is strengthened not when criticism is suppressed, but when criticism is fair, evidence-based and subjected to the same standards of accountability expected of public institutions.
“In the final analysis,” the organisation concluded, “justice is not served by hashtags or online outrage. It is served by facts, evidence and the rule of law. That standard must apply equally to every citizen and every public official.”
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report
