The Ogun State Police Command has cautioned members of the public against using social media to determine guilt or innocence in rape cases before investigations are completed or courts deliver their verdicts.
The warning was issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement addressing the growing influence of social media on criminal allegations and the handling of sexual violence cases.
Babaseyi noted that social media platforms had increasingly become places where allegations were judged before investigators had examined available evidence or the accused and complainant had their cases properly tested through the justice system.
He warned that viral posts, videos and screenshots should not automatically be regarded as proof of criminal responsibility, noting that online content can lack verification or provide only part of the circumstances surrounding an allegation.
According to the police spokesman, rape is a serious criminal allegation that requires careful investigation, sensitivity and respect for due process. He stressed that making an accusation does not amount to establishing guilt.
Babaseyi explained that a proper police investigation could involve receiving complaints, protecting complainants, interviewing relevant individuals, preserving evidence, examining digital communications, considering medical or forensic evidence where available, and assessing conflicting accounts.
He said investigators must be prepared to follow the evidence regardless of where it leads, rather than conduct investigations based on pressure from the public or social media reactions.
The police spokesman also called for greater sensitivity towards male victims of sexual violence, warning against mocking men who report rape or sexual assault.
He noted that Nigerian laws governing sexual offences include the Criminal Code, Penal Code and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, alongside applicable state laws. He added that the legal framework applicable to a particular case would depend on the jurisdiction and laws in force.
Babaseyi further stressed that consent should not be assumed simply because two people know each other, are in a relationship or have previously engaged in consensual sexual activity.
He urged Nigerians to take allegations of sexual violence seriously while allowing investigators and courts to determine the facts and legal responsibility.
The police spokesman said society should create an environment where victims can report sexual violence without being silenced, while accused persons should also have the opportunity to defend themselves without being convicted by public opinion.
He urged members of the public to focus on facts and evidence rather than choosing sides based on popularity, gender or social media sentiment.
“Justice,” he stressed, requires both compassion and due process.
