December 27, (DAILYSUNRISE) — The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday evening said it has uncovered the identity of the killer policeman who shot a Lagos female lawyer, Mrs Bolanle Raheem to death in Lagos on Christmas day.
The NBA identified his name as ASP Drambi Vandi, who the association said has been in the police force for 33 years.
In a statement signed by NBA Publicity Secretary, Habib Lawyer, the lawyers’ body expresses consternation at the killing of its member.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) deplores the cold blooded murder of our member, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem by an officer of the Nigerian Police Force attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, Lagos State. This dastardly incident occurred yesterday, 25th December, 2022 while Mrs Raheem was returning from a Christmas church service with her husband and other family members;
The NBA President, Mr Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN upon receiving the sad news made efforts to get across to the husband of our deceased member who understandably has been unavailable to answer calls. The NBA President has however spoken to the brother-in-law of our deceased member and extended the condolence of the NBA to the family of late Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem and assured the family of the support of the NBA in this difficult time;
Since this terrible incident, the NBA has taken the initiative to uncover the facts surrounding the murder of our member. The NBA President has engaged the police authorities including the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 (Mr. Bode Adeyinka Adeleke) as well as the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State (Mr. Abiodun Alabi).
In this regard, the NBA is able to report that the Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the suspected murderer of our member is one ASP Drambi Vandi, an officer, who has been in the police service for 33 years!!
While the NBA acknowledges the sympathy and regret of the police authorities over this incident, the NBA President has unequivocally demanded that the Nigerian Police officially disclose and immediately release to Nigerians the fuller details of the errant officer and other officers responsible for this heinous act,” the statement reads.
On what it termed as a routine act, the NBA also confirmed that policemen from the same Ajiwe Police Station had three weeks earlier, on December 7, 2022 shot to death a man, Gafaru Buraimoh in the same areas and in similar circumstances.
Governor Sanwo-Olu reacts
The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had expressed his shock and sadness, hence promised that justice will be served. Sanwo made this disclosure via his twitter handle:
“With utter shock and sadness, I received the news of the unfortunate and avoidable death of Barrister Bolanle Raheem at the hands of a police officer at Ajiwe. My condolences to her family, friends and associates. I can assure you that justice will be served.
The Lagos State police command have arrested, disarmed and detained the officer(s) involved in the incident. Nothing will be spared under the Laws of Lagos State until justice is served speedily and adequately”.
