Death sentence for police officer who killed lawyer on Christmas day
A Lagos High Court has sentenced a suspended police officer to death by hanging for the murder of a lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, who was shot dead on Christmas day last year.
The convict, Drambi Vandi, an Assistant
Superintendent of Police (ASP), was found guilty of shooting Mrs Raheem in the chest at Ajah Roundabout, on Lekki- Expressway, Lagos State.
Justice Ibironke Harrison, who delivered the judgment on Monday, said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and dismissed the defendant’s claim that he did not fire the fatal shot.
The judge said the testimonies of 11 witnesses, including eight police officers, and the ballistic report of the gun recovered from the defendant, showed that he was the one who pulled the trigger.
Also, the judge said the defendant’s conduct after the incident, such as fleeing from the scene, disposing of his gun and changing his clothes, indicated his guilt and intention to cover up his crime.
The judge said the defendant’s action was “wicked, callous and inhuman” and that he deserved the maximum punishment prescribed by law.
The court also ordered that the gun used by the defendant be forfeited to the state government.
The defendant’s counsel, Gbenro Gbadamosi, said he would appeal against the verdict.
The prosecution team was led by a former attorney general and commissioner for justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), who commended the court for delivering justice to the deceased and her family.
The deceased’s husband, Mr Raheem, who was present in court, expressed satisfaction with the judgment and thanked God for vindicating his wife.
He said his wife was a loving and caring mother of three children who did not deserve to die in such a brutal manner.
He also called on the police authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur and that erring officers are brought to book.
