Key Takeaways
- The South West Youth Alliance (SWYA) has strongly condemned a campaign of misinformation targeting AIG Jimoh Olohundare.
- SWYA asserts AIG Olohundare is not corrupt and poses no threat to Nigeria's justice system.
- Allegations are viewed as a deliberate attempt to undermine an ongoing murder trial and public confidence in the judiciary.
- Independent findings indicate key suspect statements were obtained well before the principal suspect's arrest.
- The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) reviewed the case and recommended prosecution.
- AIG Olohundare has received formal commendation for his professional conduct in the matter.
The South West Youth Alliance (SWYA) has vehemently condemned what it describes as a meticulously orchestrated campaign of misinformation and character assassination directed at Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Jimoh Olohundare. The influential youth group firmly maintains that the senior police officer is neither corrupt nor represents any threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system, asserting that these allegations are designed to undermine an active murder trial and erode public trust in the judicial process.
Unmasking the Campaign Against AIG Olohundare
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Adenike Ajanlekoko, the Alliance declared the accusations against AIG Olohundare reckless and misleading. "We state categorically that AIG Jimoh Olohundare is not corrupt, has never acted outside the law in the Ajiran murder case, and cannot by any stretch of imagination be described as a threat to justice," Ajanlekoko asserted. "The facts speak for themselves, and those attempting to rewrite them are doing a great disservice to the rule of law."
The Ajiran Murder Case: A Detailed Timeline
SWYA's independent investigations reveal crucial details regarding the Ajiran murder case. Statements from key suspects, Safiu Fatai (40) and Yusuf Ismaila, were initially obtained by Lagos State Police Command investigators on January 24 and February 6, 2026, respectively. This occurred significantly before the principal suspect, Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, was apprehended.
Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, a 38-year-old businessman, was declared wanted on February 20, 2026, in connection with alleged killings in Eti-Osa Local Government Area. Following months of intelligence gathering, Akanbi was apprehended in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, on April 15, 2026. He was then transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, where his statement was recorded before additional statements were obtained from Fatai and Ismaila at the correctional facility.
SWYA contends that the public campaign by entities like VDM appears to heavily rely on statements allegedly obtained after Akanbi’s arrest, deliberately overlooking the original statements secured months earlier. "The original statements made by Safiu Fatai and Yusuf Ismaila on January 24 and February 6, 2026, recorded by Superintendent of Police Adamu, remain intact," the statement emphasized. "These form part of the official investigative record and duplicate copies are available with the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). No social media sensationalism can erase official records."
Upholding Professionalism and Judicial Integrity
The group staunchly defended the integrity of the investigative process, highlighting Superintendent of Police Adamu and his team's widespread recognition for dismantling notorious criminal networks across Lagos State. "The attempt to portray SP Adamu and his team as compromised investigators is both unfair and dishonest," SWYA stated. "Their professionalism and diligence cannot be erased by propaganda."
The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions meticulously reviewed the case file after the prime suspect's arrest and recommended prosecution. Consequently, Alhaji Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi was arraigned before the Lagos State High Court and is currently standing trial for alleged conspiracy and the murders of Prince Ademola Akinloye and Sheriff Ishola Salami.
SWYA also dismissed claims of improper conduct by AIG Olohundare, noting his formal commendation from the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) for "Professional Conduct and Request for Continued Oversight Over Ajiran Murder Incidents." The group found it "absurd that a police officer commended by civil society organizations for professionalism is now being portrayed as an enemy of justice by individuals relying on selective narratives."
A Call for Respect for Due Process
The Alliance alleged that its findings suggest VDM might be acting on information supplied by biased individuals within the Force Unit of SCID Panti who are sympathetic to the accused. SWYA issued a stern warning that sustained attempts to influence public perception during an active trial could severely undermine confidence in the administration of justice. "No individual, regardless of social media following or public popularity, should assume the role of investigator, prosecutor, and judge in a matter already before a competent court. The courtroom—not social media—is the proper venue for determining guilt or innocence."
Why This Matters
This development underscores the critical importance of upholding journalistic integrity and respecting due process, especially in high-profile legal cases. Attempts to manipulate public opinion through misinformation can severely compromise the fairness of trials and erode fundamental trust in judicial institutions, impacting the rule of law for all citizens.