Bolanle Raheem: NBA seeks N5bn compensation, Police Commission approves suspension of killer cop, Lagos governor assures transparent investigation
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the suspension of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Drambi Vandi over the killing of a Lagos-based lawyer, Bolanle Raheem.
The PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement on Thursday, said the suspension of the cop is with “immediate effect”.
The cop 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.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday said there would be no cover-up in the investigation and prosecution of the culprit(s) involved in the murder of the late lawyer, Mrs. Bolanle Raheem, who was killed on Christmas Day by a police officer.
He said the outcome of investigations of the case is very important to the Government and people of Lagos State, stressing that the people deserved to know the process leading to justice for the victim.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this earlier on Thursday morning during his visit to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali at the Police headquarters in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said it would be seeking monetary compensation for the family of Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem from the government of Lagos State, the federal government, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Police Service Commission, through its Human Rights Committee.
Precisely, the NBA in a statement issued by Lagos Lawyer and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, disclosed that in addition to the prosecution of the killer cop, Superintendent, Drambi Vandi, it would also be seeking N5 billion compensation for the family of the deceased.
The statement by the NBA read: “The Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, is to monitor the trial of ASP Drambi Vandi, the policeman that shot and killed Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem in Lagos on December 25, 2022.
“The association will also press for monetary compensation for the family of the deceased by the relevant government agencies.
“Nigerians woke up to the shock of the death of Mrs Raheem who was shot in the Ajah area of Lagos inside her car on her way back from an outing with her family. The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch to which Mrs. Raheem belongs, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwana, contacted Mr. Adegboruwa to lead the team of lawyers for the NBA that will monitor the trial of the killer cop.”
It added: “The NBA Lagos in conjunction with the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Y.C. Mikyau, SAN, has decided to be part of the prosecution of the policeman as part of its efforts towards securing quick and effective justice for the family of the deceased.
“In this regard, the NBA will be partnering with the Ministry of Justice during the trial. Mr. Adegboruwa has in turn obtained relevant briefing from the Hon Attorney-General of Lagos State and has secured the assurances of an accelerated prosecution once the case file is received from the police.
“The NBA is also seeking monetary compensation for the family of Mrs Raheem from the government of Lagos State, the Federal Government, and indeed the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission, through its Human Rights Committee. The NBA will seek for payment of damages not less than five billion nairas in addition to the prosecution of the killer cop.”
