Raheem’s death by ASP Drambi Vandi was dubbed “heinous and senseless” by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.
The late lawyer’s family and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) received assurances from the President that justice will be served in the case through a statement from his media assistant, Garba Shehu.
“In this hour of grief, the nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and the NBA. I assure you that justice will be done in this case,” the President was quoted as saying.
Buhari expressed his astonishment and sadness upon learning of the terrible murder and ordered the police to take “the toughest possible measures” against the person already being detained in custody.
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He contends that this incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent danger posed by improper handling of weapons and serves as a wake-up call to law enforcement agencies, including the Police, to ensure the full implementation of reforms put in place by the administration with regard to both the handling of weapons and the protection of citizens’ rights.
In the meantime, Moyo Onigbanjo, the commissioner for justice and attorney general of Lagos State, has said that the suspects in the alleged extrajudicial killing of lawyer Bolanle Raheem will soon be charged to court.
Raheem was shot and killed on Christmas Day by Drambi Vandi, a trigger-happy assistant superintendent of police assigned to the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah. She was in a car that was attempting to make a U-turn beneath the Ajah Bridge when Raheem was hit. After being taken to a hospital in a hurry, the patient’s death was determined.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State confirmed this on Tuesday when he visited the victim’s family in the Ajah region, according to a statement from the state’s Information and Strategy Commissioner, Gbenga Omotoso.
“We have the permission of Mr Governor to tell you that justice will be done in this matter. The matter will be charged to court as soon as the police send us the case file. I will be leading the prosecution to show the seriousness the government attaches to this matter,” said Onigbanjo, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Since then, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has emphasised the need for fast justice and the prosecution of Raheem’s “murder.”
IGP Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, who called the situation tragic and sad, ordered a prompt inquiry and the prosecution of the policemen accountable for the obscene and impolite behaviour.
To put an end to such heinous acts, the police also said that they will review their code of conduct.
Numerous attorneys and protesters from the #EndSARS movement have denounced Raheem’s murder and demanded justice.
