The Ogun State Police Command has cautioned members of the public against using social media platforms to determine the guilt or innocence of persons accused of rape before investigations are completed or courts reach a decision.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, gave the warning in a statement on Tuesday while discussing the handling of sexual assault allegations, the influence of social media on criminal investigations and the need to recognise male victims of sexual violence.
Babaseyi said social media had increasingly become an alternative platform for judging criminal allegations, sometimes before investigators had gathered evidence or the courts had examined the facts.
“The courtroom now has a competitor. It is called the internet. And sometimes, it is faster than justice. But speed is not the same as truth,” he said.
The police spokesman described rape as a serious criminal allegation that required sensitivity, thorough investigation and due process, stressing that an accusation should not automatically be regarded as proof of guilt.
He acknowledged that social media could help expose abuse, encourage victims to speak out, create awareness and compel institutions to respond to genuine complaints.
However, he warned that online posts and other digital materials should not automatically be regarded as conclusive evidence against an accused person.
“A post can go viral without being verified, a video can create an impression without providing the complete context, and a screenshot can be genuine and still tell only part of a story,” Babaseyi stated.
According to him, police investigators are expected to establish facts by receiving complaints, protecting complainants, interviewing relevant individuals, preserving evidence and examining digital communications.
He added that medical or forensic evidence, where available, witnesses and conflicting accounts could also form part of an investigation.
“The investigation must be willing to follow the evidence wherever it leads. That is what makes policing credible, not the ability to satisfy the crowd, but the courage to pursue the truth,” he said.
Babaseyi also condemned the ridicule of men who report sexual violence, saying victims should not be treated differently because of their gender.
“A male victim is still a victim. His gender should not make his experience less believable,” the PPRO said.
He explained that sexual offences in Nigeria are governed by different legal frameworks, including the Criminal Code, Penal Code, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, and relevant state laws.
While noting that the Criminal and Penal Codes have traditionally framed rape around male offenders and female victims, Babaseyi said the VAPP Act adopts broader terminology.
He said the Act’s references to “another person” and lack of consent could accommodate male victims, although the applicable legal provisions would depend on the jurisdiction and laws in force.
The police spokesman stressed that allegations of rape should be handled according to the law rather than public sentiment, hashtags or the popularity of the individuals involved.
“Rape is not a popularity contest. It is not a gender war, it is not a social-media referendum,” he said.
Babaseyi further reminded the public that consent must be present and should not be assumed because two people are acquainted, in a relationship or have previously had consensual sex.
“Knowing someone does not automatically mean consenting to sex.
“Being in a relationship does not automatically mean consenting to every sexual act. A previous consensual encounter does not create permanent consent,” he stated.
He urged the public to support victims while also respecting the rights of accused persons until investigations and judicial proceedings establish the facts.
“We can take an allegation seriously without declaring the accused guilty. That is not contradiction, that is justice,” Babaseyi said.
He appealed to Nigerians to prioritise truth and due process over taking sides based on personal preferences.
“Instead of asking: ‘Whose side are you on? Perhaps we should ask, whose side is the truth on?’” he said.
Babaseyi said a fair justice system should protect victims, respect the rights of suspects and allow investigators to carry out their duties without pressure to take sides.
“Let us therefore create a society where a woman can say, ‘I was raped,’ without being silenced. Where a man can say the same without being mocked.
“Where the accused can say, ‘I am innocent,’ without being convicted by strangers.
“And where the police can investigate without being forced to choose between compassion and impartiality,” he advised.
He concluded that justice should be based on evidence and due process rather than public preference.
“Justice is served when we create enough room for the truth to survive the noise,” Babaseyi said.
