The Ogun State Police Command has cautioned members of the public against reaching conclusions or declaring suspects guilty of rape through social media before allegations are properly investigated and determined by a court.

The warning was issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement on Tuesday addressing the growing influence of social media on the handling of criminal allegations, particularly rape cases.

Babaseyi said allegations of rape are serious matters that require sensitivity, proper investigation and due process, stressing that an allegation should not automatically be treated as a conviction.

According to him, social media has increasingly become a platform where allegations are judged before investigators have examined the evidence or courts have had the opportunity to determine 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 acknowledged that social media can play a positive role by encouraging victims to speak out, raising awareness and drawing attention to issues that might otherwise remain hidden.

However, he warned that social media posts, videos and screenshots should not automatically be regarded as proof of guilt.

Babaseyi noted that online content could be incomplete or lack context, adding that investigators must establish facts rather than seek to satisfy public opinion.

He said proper police investigations involve receiving complaints, protecting complainants, identifying and interviewing relevant persons, preserving evidence, examining digital communications and considering medical or forensic evidence where available.

“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 called for an end to the mockery of men who report sexual violence, arguing that the gender of a victim should not determine whether their complaint is taken seriously.

“A male victim is still a victim. His gender should not make his experience less believable,” he said.

He explained that Nigeria has different legal frameworks governing sexual offences, including the Criminal Code, Penal Code, Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, and applicable state laws.

The police spokesman said the applicable legal provisions depend on the jurisdiction and legislation in force.

Babaseyi further stressed that issues of consent and sexual offences should be addressed within the framework of the law rather than through public sentiment or online campaigns.

He said familiarity, a romantic relationship or previous consensual sexual activity does not automatically constitute consent to every subsequent sexual act.

“Rape is not a popularity contest. It is not a gender war, it is not a social-media referendum,” he said.

He urged members of the public to take allegations seriously while allowing investigators and courts to determine the facts.

“We can take an allegation seriously without declaring the accused guilty. That is not contradiction, that is justice,” Babaseyi said.

The police spokesman appealed for a balanced approach that protects victims while respecting the rights of accused persons, saying justice requires both compassion and due process.

His comments come amid growing public debate over the speed with which allegations of sexual offences spread online and the tendency for social media users to reach conclusions before investigations are completed.

Babaseyi urged the public to focus on evidence and truth rather than taking sides based solely on online narratives.