Police Officer Sentenced to De@th for K#ll!ng Lagos Lawyer Bolanle Raheem

In a significant legal development, Justice Ibironke Harrison of a Lagos High Court has handed down a de@th sentence by hanging to police officer Drambi Vandi. This sentence comes in response to the fatal shooting of Lagos-based lawyer Omobolanle Raheem on Christmas Day of the previous year.

The case against Mr. Vandi was initiated when he was arraigned on January 16, charged with m#rder, to which he pleaded not guilty. The court expedited the proceedings, leading to a swift conclusion.

According to the Lagos government, Mr. Vandi shot Ms. Raheem in the chest on December 25, 2022, at Ajah Roundabout on Lekki Expressway, Lagos State. This act of m#rder is in direct violation of Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The prosecution team, led by Attorney General Moyosore Onigbanjo, called upon 11 witnesses, including eight police officers. Additional witnesses included two individuals who were present at the scene and a pathologist.

One of the crucial prosecution witnesses is Inspector Matthew Ameh, who reportedly served alongside the defendant at the time of the murder.

The prosecution concluded its case on February 25, and by February 28, the defendant, represented by his counsel Gbenro Gbadamosi, filed an application requesting the court to dismiss the charges against him.

Mr. Gbadamosi argued that the evidence provided by the prosecution witnesses was inconsistent and did not establish a connection between the defendant and the alleged m#rder.

However, on April 3, the court dismissed the no-case submission, with Justice Ibironke Harrison asserting that the prosecution had presented enough oral and documentary evidence linking the defendant to the alleged crime, necessitating an explanation from him.

Justice Harrison further stressed that the defendant’s testimony was essential to clarify the events in question.

On May 31, the defendant presented his evidence and subsequently closed his case. His counsel informed the court that Mr. Vandi was the sole defense witness.

Afterward, on July 13, both parties presented their written arguments, and the court reserved its judgment until October 9.