BREAKING: Court Sentences Police Officer Who Killed Lawyer Bolanle Raheem to Death by Hanging
- A Lagos state high court has sentenced policeman, ASP Drambi Vandi, to death by hanging for killing Barrister Bolanle Raheem
- Vandi had shot Mrs Raheem dead in the presence of her husband while returning from church on Christmas Day in 2022
- The suspended police officer was found guilty of killing Raheem, who was pregnant at the time
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Ikeja, Lagos state - The Lagos state high court has sentenced Drambi Vandi, who shot Bolanle Raheem, a Lagos-based lawyer, to death by hanging.
The judge, Ibironke Harrison, held that the police officer is guilty of murder, Premium Times reported on Monday, October 9.
Source: UGC
Bolanle Raheem: Vandi to die by hanging
A report by the Channels Television also noted the judge's verdict.
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The judge said:
“The court found the defendant guilty on one count of murder. You will be hanged by the neck till you are dead."
Vandi is alleged to have shot Raheem at close range as she and several family members were driving home from a church service on December 25, 2022.
Many Nigerians were horrified over the killing of the lawyer, who was pregnant. Late Raheem also left behind a five-year-old daughter.
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and human rights groups demanded justice.
The shooter, Vandi, was arrested and remanded in custody after the incident.
In January, he pleaded not guilty to the murder. Also, a report in May by The Nation said that Vandi testified in his defence, denying shooting the victim.
The defendant said he headed the patrol team of three officers, who manned Ajah Underbridge in Lagos for stop and search operations on the day of the incident.
According to him, some guys in the area were throwing bangers (knockouts) and when he went to meet them to stop the noise, the deceased’s sister accosted him and accused him of shooting her sister.
Bolanle Raheem: Police suspend Vandi
In a piece of related news, Legit.ng reported that the then-Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, recommended Vandi's suspension.
Baba said he recommended ASP Vandi's suspension pending the availability of a detailed report on the incident.
Bolanle Raheem pregnant with twins
Legit.ng also reported that Mrs Salami, Bolanle's mother, said that her daughter was pregnant with twins.
While speaking during a visit to the family house by the Lagos state commissioner of police at the time, Abiodun Alabi, Mrs Salami lamented that her daughter whom she popularly called "The Law" was forcibly taken away from her.
Source: Legit.ng
