In a landmark ruling, the Lagos State High Court has delivered a verdict in the case of Drambi Vandi, the suspended police officer accused of the tragic murder of Lagos-based lawyer, Bolanle Raheem.
According to Vanguard, the presiding judge, Ibironke Harrison, on Monday, handed down a sentence of death by hanging after finding Vandi guilty of murder.
Quoting the judge’s solemn words, “The court found the defendant guilty on one count of murder. You will be hanged by the neck till you are dead,” the gravity of the conviction is evident.
The dreadful incident took place on December 25, 2022, at the Ajah roundabout in Lagos, where Vandi, who was attached to the Ajiwe police division in the Ajah area, allegedly shot and killed Mrs. Raheem, who was pregnant at the time.
Nigerians united in condemning Vandi’s heinous act, leading to his suspension just two days after the tragic event. The Lagos state government subsequently presented a one-count charge of murder against the defendant, leading to his arraignment.
The trial, which commenced in January, saw key witnesses, including the deceased’s husband, sister, police armourer, pathologist, and seven others, testify against the defendant. The prosecution presented 27 exhibits as evidence.
Notably, Vandi was the sole witness to testify in his defense during the proceedings. In his testimony, he vehemently asserted that the bullet presented in court, believed to have caused Mrs. Raheem’s death, did not originate from the rifle he carried on the day of the incident. Additionally, he claimed to have never seen the bullet until it was presented as evidence in court.
| Vanguard
