• Killer cop 33 years in service, Atiku, Sanwo-Olu, NBA fume
The husband of a female lawyer, who was shot dead by a police officer, has narrated how his wife was killed.
His house in the Ajah area of Lagos State was visited by his sympathizers on Monday.
According to Punch Metro, it was reported that on Christmas Day, a cop shot at her vehicle when she tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge.
The 41-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
The woman, who had a child, was seven months pregnant when tragedy struck.
Vandi has spent 33 years in the police force.
A voice recording was obtained from one of the lawyers who visited the family.
The victim’s husband said, “On December 25, my wife, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who had come for the holiday, all went to church.”
We went to a supermarket at Abraham Adesanya, then to Domino’s Pizza, after my wife said since it was Christmas Day, we should take everyone out.
As we approached them, they told us to stop and we heard a loud noise on the side window of my wife’s house.
My sister-in-law ran out and held the policeman as he pointed his gun at her.
When I went to see if anything could be done, I saw my wife gasping for breath and my sister-in-law pushed the policeman into the car.
We took her to Grandville Hospital, where she was confirmed dead, after they said they couldn’t handle it.
The policeman took her body and put it in a truck, but I told them I needed to go and settle my children.
Bolanle moved from litigation practice to property law after graduating from the Olabisi Onabanjo University.
She co-founded City Building, a real estate and property development company.
The deceased worshipped with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olive Tree Parish, Banana Island, Ikoyi. Lagos, where she functioned as a Sunday school teacher.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, in a statement on Monday by the Force spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, ordered speedy prosecution of all the policemen involved in her killing.
Adejobi said, “The IGP, who described the incident as unfortunate and sad, has ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act, which doesn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the police would carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement in a bid to put an end to such avoidable incidents.
He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by a police officer in Ajah on Sunday, December 25, 2022.
“On the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, the errant officer has since been taken into custody alongside his team members.
The CP has equally directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, for an in-depth investigation.”
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State chapter, Ikechukwu Uwanna, on Monday, said the NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, and his executive committee were monitoring the situation.
He said members of the union also met the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station and the state Commissioner of Police to ensure that justice prevailed.
The NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, in a statement, said the union president had demanded that the police disclose the details of the killer cop.
He said, “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!
“The NBA president has informed the police of the resolve of the NBA to be a complainant in this case along with the family of late Mrs Omobolanle Raheem.”
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, promised speedy justice for the lawyer.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Monday, stated that his administration would not tolerate the killing of citizens by law enforcers who should protect them.
He said, “I’m aware that the Lagos State Police Command has arrested, disarmed and detained the police officers involved in the shooting incident.
I can assure you that the accused persons will have their day in court and nothing will be spared under the laws of Lagos State until justice is served adequately.
We will ensure that it is done speedily because justice is delayed and denied.”
The killing of the lawyer was condemned by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The shooting of Bolanle Raheem by a police officer is heartbreaking and stands condemned by the man.
This latest shooting calls to attention the urgent need for police reforms that will sanitise the force and bring it in line with best policing practices.
“I call on the police authorities and the justice system to expedite action on the matter, as justice delayed is justice denied.
This will serve as a deterrent to the incidents of irresponsible shooting of innocent citizens by law enforcement agents.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians have demanded the removal of the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, saying extra-judicial killings are becoming rampant in the division.
Recall that on December 7, 2022, one Gafaru Buraimoh was shot dead by a policeman attached to the division.
