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Justice Ibironke Harrison of a Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), was on Wednesday informed of how Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Drambi Vandi, the alleged suspect in the killing of a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day, was disarmed.
Testifying before the court in the continued trial of ASP Vandi, the witness, Olorunshola Segun Olorunshole, who is also an Assistant Superintendent of Police, and the fifth prosecution witness of the Lagos State government which is prosecuting the case stated, “I am a Police officer with number AP-155460. I joined the Police Force on the 1st of March 1992, presently attached to the Ajah police station.
“On December 25, 2022, we were scheduled to go on patrol for 24 hours. I was at Ajah Police Station. I was one of the operational officers in charge of patrolling the neighbourhood. We have the patrol team divided into various sections and areas of patrol.
“We are colleagues on patrol together; he was on patrol from Ajah to Ilaje while mine was from Ajah to Sangotedo. All patrol officers on the said date left the police station after the parade. After the parade, we left for our duty post.
“Two hours later, I came back to the station, somebody rode down on a bike, and he met me where I was sitting down. The man on the bike reported that one of our ASP Drambi Vandi has shot a pregnant woman and had tried to be disarmed by some men at the hospital.
“After the rider passed the information, I went straight to inform the DPO. The DPO called the Anti-crime patrol team 99, then he went with the patrol team to the hospital.
“After about 20-30mins, the DPO came back with the ASP standing there. When he came back, he was wearing a native shirt on his uniform trouser, and he was dangling his rifle on his left shoulder. When the DPO came in, he was led by two other armed policemen.
“So, myself, the DPO, and the entourage went to the charge room. The DPO instructed that he should be disarmed and detained.
“He handed his rifle over to me, there in the charge room because I am next in command to the DPO. After handing over, the armourer whose office was right in front of the charge room asked me to give him the rifle.
“His name is Inspector Adamu (the armourer). I don't know what the armourer did because I just handed over the rifle. The defendant was standing right there in the charge room with the DPO.”
While being cross-examined by the defence lawyer, Mr. Adetokunbo Odutola, the witness also confirmed that he made a written statement in respect of the case.
According to the witness, “The statement was made in front of the State CID, Panti, and I can recognise it.”
After the witness had confirmed the statement, the defense counsel sought to tender the statement and Dr. Babajide Martins, the lawyer for the Lagos State government, did not object to it. The statement was marked as Exhibit P6.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General has informed the judge that the ballistics report, containing evidence relating to firearms involved in the death of Bolanle Raheem, has been presented to the defence counsel.
It would be recalled that the state government had on January 16, 2023, begun Vandi’s prosecution for the alleged murder.
Vandi was arraigned by the state through its Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) on a one-count charge of murder.
The charge reads: “ASP Vandi on the 25th of December 2022, at Ajah roundabout, along Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, in the Lagos Judicial Division unlawfully killed one Omobolanle Raheem (F) by shooting her in the chest.”
But Vandi pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Harrison has adjourned the case until February 2, 2023, for the continuation of trial.
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