The Police Service Commission, PSC, on Thursday ratified the immediate suspension of ASP Drambi Vandi who is suspected to have shot and killed pregnant Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem.
The development was confirmed by the PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement issued after the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, recommended that Vandi be suspended for shooting and killing Raheem in the Ajah axis of Lagos State on Christmas Day.
Ani said, “The commission, in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police signed by the acting chairperson, Clara Ogunbiyi, stated that the commission has carefully examined the facts of the case, observations and recommendation with respect to allegations against the officer and granted approval for the suspension of the officer from duty with immediate effect.”
Governor Babadije Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Thursday said no cover-up would be tolerated in the investigation and prosecution of the culprit.
The governor said this during his visit to the IG at the police headquarters in Abuja, noting that the outcome of the investigation into the case was important to the government and people of the state.
He added, “We have come here this morning first to extend season greetings to the Inspector-General of Police and also to get an update and to brief him as to the security situation of Lagos State, especially the very recent unfortunate incident of the death of a lady, Bolanle Raheem hit by the bullet of a police officer and also an earlier incident that occurred weeks before then.
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“For me as the governor of the state, I think it is important and it is that serious for us to come here and get a sense of how soon we can get to charge this officer to court. And we have got a very positive response and engagement from the Inspector General of Police himself,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The Lagos Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, on Thursday, swore to monitor Vandi’s prosecution.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), in a statement, said he would lead a team of lawyers from the NBA to partner the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in prosecuting the police officer.
Adegboruwa said, “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 cop.
“The NBA, Lagos, in conjunction with the President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr Y.C. Mikyau (SAN), has decided to be part of the prosecution of the policeman as part of efforts toward securing quick and effective justice for the family of the deceased,” the statement said.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Adegboruwa said that the NBA would seek payment of damages to the tune of N5bn, and demanded re-orientation for all police officers and men in the handling and use of weapons.
Source: Punch