Bolanle Raheem: Officer Involved In Lagos Lawyer’s Murder Pleads Not Guilty

The suspended Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of a Lagos-based lawyer, Bolanle Raheem.

Naija News reports that Vandi was arraigned by the Lagos State Government before the state High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) annex on Monday.

The state government preferred a one-count charge of murder contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 against the defendant.

The arraignment, which was scheduled for 9 am, suffered some delay until about 11 am when Vandi’s counsel, Adetokunbo Odutola arrived.

After the charge sheet was read, Vandi pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

Recall that on December 25, Raheem was allegedly shot dead by Vandi at the Ajah axis of Lagos.

The deceased was returning home from a Christmas outing with her family when the shooting incident occurred. The Christmas Day killing sparked widespread criticism from various sections of the country as well as the political elite.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, later recommended Vandi for suspension. The Police Service Commission (PSC) also granted approval for the suspension on December 29.

On December 30, the Lagos state government filed a one-count charge of unlawful killing against Vandi.

Subsequently, the suspended police officer was remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.