Tag: Bolanle Raheem

  • Bolanle Raheem: Vandi Asked Me For Bullet After Shooting – Witness

    Bolanle Raheem: Vandi Asked Me For Bullet After Shooting – Witness

    A police officer, Sunday Akagu has testified before the Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square as the sixth prosecution witness in the trial of the Assistant Superintendent of Police Drambi Vandi charged with the killing of a Lagos-based lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.

    Akagu, an inspector who has spent over 20 years in the police, said his colleague asked for a bullet to replace his own because it was not complete after the shooting.

    “In the process of going to the police station, Vandi called me by my nickname and said, ‘Odogwu, help me with one ammunition’ and I said ‘no, where will I have it to replace it? Why will I give you my ammunition?’ And I got provoked and told my colleagues what he requested.”

    When the state Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo, asked if he obliged his colleague’s request, “No, over my dead body,” the witness replied.

    Akagu said he and three other colleagues were patrolling on December 25 at the Ajah area when they received a distress call from their divisional boss to come to the office.

    From their office, they went to the Budo hospital where the deceased was first taken to.

    “It was at the Budo hospital, where we met the defendant and asked what happened and he said ‘let’s discuss it at the station’,” he said.

    “Then the DPO ordered us to take the defendant to the station.”

    He said that five of them visited the hospital – “the driver, three of us at the back and the driver and one person close to the driver.”

    The officer also said he was tense when he heard that his colleague “fired”.

    Under cross-examination from the the defendant’s lawyer, Adetokunbo Odutola, the witness said he was not at the crime scene. He said they got to the police division around 1pm.

    He further said that when they took the defendant back to the division from the hospital, they left their boss at the hospital.

    Odutola asked “at what point was the defendant disarmed?”

    “I was not there when he was disarmed,” the witness answered.

    “When he entered your vehicle, was his gun with him?”

    “I don’t know,” he replied.

    “So, his gun was with you?”

    “No. I don’t know. They disarmed him before we got to the hospital,” he replied.

    “Now you told the court that he asked you for the bullet, which gun would he then put the bullet in if he had been disarmed?

    “I don’t know,” the witness answered.

    The witness also said he and two others, Okoye and Ismail, were armed with the defendant in the police van.

    “Can you tell the court the number of the gun you booked?

    “It is written in the arm diary. I don’t know it off the top of my head,” he replied.

    A second witness, Olagunju Olatunji, the investigating police officer of the case before it was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), who also testified, said he had spent 18 years in the police.

    He told the court that he was in the station around 1pm when one Enema Titilayo (the deceased’s sister) “ran to the station and reported a case of conspiracy and shooting.”

    He told the court that he was part of the team that drove to the three hospitals the deceased was referred to before her death.

    “We drafted the police and took her corpse to the Yaba Specialist Hospital and deposited her corpse,” he said.

    Speaking of his encounter with the suspected killer cop, Olagunju said he “saw him hiding under a staircase,” at the hospital.

    In the course of his investigation, the witness said “the statement of the suspect was taken with caution while the statement of the complainant was taken voluntarily.

    “It was transferred to the SCID in Yaba for further discreet investigation.

    “Before I transferred the case, what I found out during my investigation is that the defendant fired the gun and at the same time his ammunition was not complete.

    “As at the time of his arrest, I saw him with a civilian top on a police trousers.”

    During cross-examination, the defendant’s lawyer asked “did the complainant say she saw him shoot?

    “She knows him. She didn’t mention his name because she didn’t know his name. She had already held him hostage at the Ajah bridge. Yes,” the witness replied.

    “It was when they got to the hospital that the woman ran to the station to make a formal report.”

    When he was asked how many officers went to the first hospital, he said eight which is contrary to the testimony of the first witness who said five.

    “Can you describe the sitting arrangements in the patrol,” the lawyer asked.
    “Five of us were inside and three were at the back. I don’t know their names.”

    When he was asked to mention their names, the witness explained that he was recently posted to the division and wasn’t familiar with their names.

    “Would it surprise you that one of those who went with the DPO said that there were only five?

    “That’s not true. We were eight,” he replied.

    He said that after Mrs Raheem was declared dead at the third hospital, three of them took her body to the mortuary.

    Speaking on the “three instances” that made him conclude that it was his colleague who murdered Mrs Raheem, he said “when the gun was shot, the deceased, both the husband came down and held the cop and took him to Budo (the first hospital) hospital.

    “The second instance is that two (officers) out of the three held guns on that day. When they brought their guns to the station, only Sup Vandi’s gun had a shortage of two bullets while the other one was complete.

    “The third is that, the police officer hid under a staircase and he changed his uniform to another one with a gun at hand.”

    “Is this the first time that you will see a policeman wear mufti and carry a gun?” the lawyer asked. The witness said no.

    “Would it surprise you that the complainant and her husband never said that they saw the defendant shoot?

    “I will be very surprised,” he replied.

    “Can you arrive at that opinion without a scientific or ballistic proof?

    “Part of the evidence is eyewitness testimony. Hearsay. That is my personal report as an IPO, other investigations can follow,” he replied.

    Justice Ibironke Harrison has adjourned the hearing to 8 and 9 February for continuation of trial.

  • Funeral Service of Slain Lagos Lawyer, Bolanle Raheem

    Funeral Service of Slain Lagos Lawyer, Bolanle Raheem

    A funeral service was held for the Lagos-based lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead in the Ajah area of the state on Christmas Day.

    Suspended Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Drambi Vandi, gunned down the pregnant lawyer in the presence of her family members.

    On Tuesday, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Olive Branch, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, held a funeral service for her.

    Bolanle was pregnant with a set of twins when she was allegedly murdered by the police officer. 

    Her funeral service was attended by her family members, friends, and other sympathizers. See more photos below…

    Photos from the funeral service of slain Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
    Photos from the funeral service of slain Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
    Photos from the funeral service of slain Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
    Photos from the funeral service of slain Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
    Photos from the funeral service of slain Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
    Photos from the funeral service of slain Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
    Photos from the funeral service of slain Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
    Photos from the funeral service of slain Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
    Photos from the funeral service of slain Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
    Photos from the funeral service of slain Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
  • Bolanle Raheem: ASP Vandi Plead not Guilty for Alleged Murder

    Bolanle Raheem: ASP Vandi Plead not Guilty for Alleged Murder

    ASP Drambi Vandi, the policeman accused of killing Lagos-based lawyer Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem on Christmas Day last year, has pleaded not guilty to murder.

    Vandi was arraigned on Monday before a Lagos High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square presided over by Justice Ibironke Harrison where a one-count charge of murder was preferred on him.

    The arraignment which was scheduled for 9 am was initially delayed by the absence of counsel to defend Vandi in court.

    When the case was called, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo, SAN, who is leading the prosecution told the court that he was informed the defence counsel was still on his way.

    The court had to stand the matter down to await his arrival. Vandi is now being represented by Mr. Adetokunbo Odutola.

    In furtherance of the commitment of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure justice in the matter, the President of the Bar, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, 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.

    As of the time of this report, the prosecution has called its first witness, a police officer, to testify.

    Vandi is accused of shooting Raheem dead on Christmas Day. In company with his team, the cop who was attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah allegedly tried to stop the lawyer and her family members as they drove back home from a church service.

    Raheem was said to have been shot when the driver of the car she was in was attempting a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge. The victim was rushed to a hospital but was confirmed dead.

    The tragedy led to nationwide outrage, prompting the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, to recommend Vandi’s suspension on December 28.

    According to Baba, the suspension is expected to create an enabling environment for necessary legal procedures to uphold justice in the case without interference.

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) approved the suspension with immediate effect on December 29.

    The following day, the Lagos State Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, filed a one-count charge against Vandi for Raheem’s murder, applying for the remand of the defendant.

    The magistrate granted the request to remand the defendant at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and ordered that the case file be duplicated and sent to the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Jide Martins for legal advice.

  • Bolanle Raheem: ASP Vandi Arraigned For Murder, Remanded In Prison

    Bolanle Raheem: ASP Vandi Arraigned For Murder, Remanded In Prison

    A Magistrate Court in Lagos State, on Friday, remanded ASP Drambi Vandi at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over the alleged murder of a lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day at Ajah Roundabout in the state.

    The Attorney General of the state, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, appeared at the Yaba Magistrate Court before Chief Magistrate C.A. Adedayo for the suspect’s remand proceedings.

    According to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the remand proceeding was filed pursuant to Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2015 (as amended).

    “The remand request had attached to it one count of Murder contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17 Vol. 3 Laws of Lagos State, 2015, an affidavit deposed to by O.R. Saliu (Ms) an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Justice and the copy of the statement of the Suspect ASP Drambi Vandi,” the ministry stated.

    “The Chief Magistrate granted the request of the Honourable Attorney-General and ordered the remand of the Suspect for the first 30 days in line with the provision of the law pending further investigation by the Police.

    “The Court directed the Police to forward the duplicate case file to the office of the DPP and adjourned the case to 30th of January, 2023 for the review of the remand Order and report on the Legal Advice by the DPP.”

    The Attorney General appeared with the Solicitor General of Lagos State, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey; the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins; Deputy Director, Adebayo Haroun; O/C Legal Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command, Y.O. Cardoso; and Assistant Director, O.R. Saliu, while Moses Jah-Nissi appeared for ASP Drambi Vandi.

    Earlier this week, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, recommended Vandi’s suspension to create an enabling environment for necessary legal procedures to uphold justice in the case without interference.

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) approved the suspension, directing that the final investigation into the matter be concluded to enable the commission to take further necessary action.

  • House of Reps To Investigate Bolanle Raheem’s Murder

    House of Reps To Investigate Bolanle Raheem’s Murder

    Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have condemned the killing of Mrs Bolanle Raheem by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi in the Ajah area of Lagos State on Christmas Day.

    The lawmaker representing Eti Osa Federal Constituency, Ibrahim Obanikoro, raised the matter as a matter of urgent public importance. Members of the House further expressed discomfort over reports of wanton killing of Nigerians by men of the Nigeria Police.

    The House is to investigate the killing of Mrs Bolanle Raheem and another young man who was allegedly killed by officers from the same police station.

    Raheem was shot dead on Christmas Day by Vandi, who was attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah. The cop and his team were said to have tried to stop Raheem and her family members as they drove back home from a church service.

    Raheem was shot when the car she was in tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge. The victim was rushed to a hospital but was confirmed dead.

    The incident sparked nationwide outrage with the Lagos State Police Command stating that the ASP and two other officers had been detained.

  • Buhari Condemns Murder of Raheem, Orders Stiff Action Against Killer

    Buhari Condemns Murder of Raheem, Orders Stiff Action Against Killer

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday condemned the “heinous and senseless” killing of a Lagos-based lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, by a trigger-happy Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi.

    Raheem was shot dead on Christmas Day by Vandi who was attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah. The cop and his team were said to have tried to stop Raheem and her family members as they drove back home from a church service.

    Raheem was shot when the car she was in tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge. The victim was rushed to a hospital but was confirmed dead.

    The President in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, assured the late lawyer’s family and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that justice must be done in the case.

    “In this hour of grief, the nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and the NBA. I assure you that justice will be done in this case,” the President was quoted as saying.

    Buhari said he was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the brutal killing and directed the police authorities to take “the strongest possible action” against the culprit already held in detention.

    According to him, this incident is a stark reminder of the recurring menace of the mishandling of weapons and a wakeup call to law enforcement agencies, including the Police to ensure the full implementation of reforms instituted by the administration on the subject of weapons handling as well as the protection of the rights of citizens.

  • Reaction As ASP Kills Lagos Lawyer, Bolanle Raheem On Christmas Day

    Reaction As ASP Kills Lagos Lawyer, Bolanle Raheem On Christmas Day

    Nigerians on social media are horrified and outraged as a trigger-happy Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) shot dead a Lagos-based female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem in the Ajah area of the state on Christmas Day.

    The unnamed policeman attached to the Ajah Police Station and his team were said to have tried to stop Raheem and her family members as they drove back home from a Christmas Day church service.

    Raheem, it was gathered, was shot when the car she was on tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge.

    The victim was rushed to a hospital but was confirmed dead.

    Avoidable Incident – Police
    The spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the incident but described it as “unfortunate and avoidable”, assuring the public that justice will prevail.

    “The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody,” Hundeyin tweeted on Monday.

    He also said the policemen will be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti for further investigation.

    “The Lagos State Police Command condoles with the family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has been in touch with the family and the Nigerian Bar Association since yesterday and has given firm assurances that justice will definitely prevail.”

    IGP Condemns Killing, Orders Speedy Investigation
    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, on Monday, condemned the shooting and killing of Raheem.

    The IGP, who described the incident as unfortunate and sad, ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act, Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement.

    The IGP said the act doesn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values.

    “In the same vein, the IGP commiserates with the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased as he prays for the repose of her soul.

    “He further assures the general public of justice in the case while he warns officers and men of the Force to be professional and people-oriented in the discharge of their duties and operate within the ambit of the law, as the Force’s leadership will not condone any inappropriate or unprofessional acts,” the statement read.

    NBA Demands Justice
    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded that justice be served on the matter.

    NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal wrote, “We are aware of this unfortunate incident. This is yet another crime against a lawyer. Regrettably, our member is gone…We shall ensure that justice is duly served.”

    Lawyers, #EndSARS Demonstrators Riled
    The killing of Raheem is one of the many incidents of police brutality and extrajudicial killings that have been recorded in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria time after time.

    Raheem’s killing comes just over two years after police extrajudicial killings sparked a nationwide outrage that culminated in the #EndSARS protests of October 2020 when millions of youths demanded police reforms, compensation for families of victims and punishment for trigger-happy policemen.

    Already, some of the voices of the #EndSARS protests have condemned the killing of Raheem and demanded justice.

    Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong tweeted, “A lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, is reported to have been shot and murdered at close range on Christmas Day by a rogue policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Division, Ajah. This is barbaric.

    “It is a sad commentary that despite EndSARS, Nigerians are still being slaughtered by the police.”

    Popular comedian Debo Adebayo, also known as Mr Macaroni also described Raheem’s killing as barbaric.

    “A Nigerian Police Officer from Ajiwe division shot and killed Bolanle Raheem on Xmas day. It is from this same division an Officer killed Gafaru Buraimoh about 2 weeks ago,” he wrote.

    “This barbarism by the Nigerian Police must come to an end. These murderers must pay for their crimes!”

    Prominent human rights activist and a former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu also lent his voice to condemn the killing of Raheem.

    Another activist, Rinu Oduala slammed Nigeria Police Force for alleged coverup of the identity of the trigger-happy policeman.

    Extrajudicial killings by policemen and other security agents have been concerning over the years. A report released in 2021 by a human rights group, the Centre for Democracy and Development said over 13,000 Nigerians were extrajudicially killed by security agents in the last one decade.

    The police authorities and those of the Nigerian Army have taken disciplinary actions against culpable officers in recent times but this has not completely stopped the ugly trend.