Former Police PRO Olumuyiwa Adejobi: ‘Anyone Pleading for Criminals is Also a Criminal

Veritas News Hub | Crime & Security Desk

Former Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has issued a strong warning against interference in criminal investigations, declaring that anyone who pressures security agencies to release, pardon, or overlook alleged offenders is “also a criminal.”

Adejobi made the statement in a post on his official X page on Tuesday, reiterating his long-held stance on crime and justice in Nigeria. The retired police spokesperson said he would not entertain appeals for suspects facing criminal charges.

“I always maintain my stance and principles when it comes to fighting crimes. Don’t even bother to contact me, pleading for a criminal. It’s shameful, and it won’t work out well,” he wrote.

The former image maker of the police force went further to draw a direct line between crime and attempts to obstruct justice. “Anyone begging and mounting pressure on the police and security agencies to release, pardon, or overlook a crime is also a criminal. No two ways about it. Check yourself,” Adejobi stated.

His comments come amid growing public debate over political influence, “pleas from above,” and alleged compromise in the handling of high-profile cases across Nigeria’s security institutions. Citizens and civil society groups have repeatedly raised concerns that interference undermines public trust in law enforcement and weakens the justice system.

Adejobi urged Nigerians to adopt a collective responsibility in tackling crime and vices. “We need to stand firm, remain resolute in curbing crimes and vices in our society, collectively,” he added.

This is not the first time the former PRO has taken a hardline position on the issue. During his tenure as Force PRO from 2021 to 2024, Adejobi was known for his frequent public education campaigns on X, where he addressed legal misconceptions, warned against mob justice, and cautioned Nigerians on actions that constitute obstruction of justice under Nigerian law.

Section 145 of the Criminal Code Act prescribes punishment for anyone who obstructs, prevents, perverts or defeats the course of justice. Legal experts note that pressuring law enforcement officers to release suspects without due process can fall under “attempting to pervert the course of justice,” an offence punishable by law.

Adejobi’s latest post has since sparked conversations online. Many users commended his stance, arguing that Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, banditry, and corruption requires security officers and citizens alike to resist undue influence. Others called for the police and other agencies to match such rhetoric with transparent, impartial investigations, regardless of the status of the suspect.

The retired officer’s remarks are likely to resonate with security stakeholders and advocacy groups pushing for reforms that insulate law enforcement from political and social pressure.

As Nigeria continues to battle rising insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, and cybercrime, statements like Adejobi’s highlight the tension between public expectations for justice and the reality of systemic interference that has plagued prosecutions for years.

For now, Adejobi’s message is clear: the fight against crime must be firm, principled, and free from backdoor pleas. Whether security agencies across the country will adopt and enforce that same zero-tolerance approach remains to be seen.