ASP Vandi Pleads Not Guilty to Bolanle Raheem’s Murder
ASP Drambi Vandi, the police officer charged with killing Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, a lawyer from Lagos, on Christmas Day of last year, has entered a not-guilty plea.
A one-count charge of murder was presented against Vandi at his arraignment on Monday before a Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square, presided over by Justice Ibironke Harrison.
A one-count charge of murder was presented against Vandi at his arraignment on Monday before a Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square, presided over by Justice Ibironke Harrison.
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.
Yakubu Maikyau, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and President of the Bar, Ikechukwu Uwant to, Chairman of the NBA’s Lagos Branch, and other NBA leaders were also present in court to observe proceedings as part of the association’s commitment to ensuring justice in the case.
As of the publication of this report, a police officer has testified as the prosecution’s first witness.
Black Christmas
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 allegedly shot as the driver of the vehicle she was riding in tried to make a U-turn beneath the Ajah Bridge. The patient was transported to a hospital but was later declared dead.
Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), recommended Vandi’s suspension on December 28 as a result of the tragedy’s widespread indignation.
According to Baba, the suspension would hopefully foster an environment where the required legal processes may be carried out without obstruction.
On December 29, the Police Service Commission (PSC) authorized the suspension with immediate effect.
The Lagos State Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, filed a one-count complaint against Vandi for the murder of Raheem the next day and that the defendant be kept on detention.
The magistrate granted the plea to hold the defendant in custody at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility and commanded that a duplicate case file be made and delivered to Dr. Jide Martins, the director of public prosecution, for legal counsel.