Policeman who killed female lawyer arraigned for murder in Lagos
The Lagos State government on Monday arraigned ASP Drambi Vandi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police who allegedly shot and killed a lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, on December 25, 2022, before a state High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square for murder.
Vandi was docked before Justice Ibironke Harrison on a one-count charge of murder contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The arraignment which was scheduled for 9 am was initially delayed by the absence of the defence counsel in court.
Following the development, Justice Harrison was forced to stand the matter down to allow the lawyer, Adetokunbo Odutola, to get to court.
READ ALSO: Identity of Omobolanle Raheem’s killer revealed (Photos)
Also during the proceedings, the prosecution called its first witness, police inspector Mathew Ameh.
In his testimony, Ameh told the court that his team, which includes the defendant, were deployed to Ajah under the bridge where they were conducting stop-and-search operations.
The witness also testified that Vandi, who was the leader of the team, was behind while he was in the middle, and another policeman, Inspector Dimini, was in the front.
Ameh further informed the court that his team tried to stop the deceased’s car which is an unregistered vehicle but the driver didn’t stop and Supol Vandi fired at the car.
He stated: “The next thing I heard was a gunshot and I looked back to see what was happening and I saw that a windscreen was falling.
“The next thing I saw again was a dark woman who jumped down from the vehicle and I heard her saying, ‘oga you have killed my sister.’ The woman held him and before I and Dimini could get to them, they had entered the car, locked it, and left,” the witness narrated.
Before adjourning the case to January 25, Justice Harrison gave an order for an accelerated hearing of the trial
When the case was initially called, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyo Onigbanjo, SAN, who is leading the prosecution had told the court that he was informed the defence counsel was still on his way.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yakubu Maikyau, the Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, Ikechukwu Uwanna, and other executives of the association were also present in court to monitor proceedings.
Vandi, an Assistant Superintendent attached to the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, Lagos State, allegedly shot Raheem while she was returning from an outing with her family members.
He was arrested and later suspended by the Police Service Commission after an investigation indicted him.
On December 30, 2022, the defendant appeared before Chief Magistrate, Miss Adeola Olatunbosun, who ordered that he should be remanded at the Ikoyi custodial facility pending advice of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.
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