The Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square annex, Igbosere, Lagos island has convicted and sentenced to d£ath by hanging, a suspended Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Vandi for the murder of Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem.
Justice Ibironke Harrison held that the prosecution, the Lagos State Government,
has proven the case against the convict beyond all reasonable doubt. “The court finds the defendant guilty on one count of murder. You will be hanged by the neck till you are dead.” the judge held.
On January 16, the Lagos State Government arraigned Vandi before the court for sh%oting to d£ath the 41-year-old pregnant lawyer at the Ajah underbridge checkpoint on December 25, 2022. The police officer was attached to the Ajiwe police division in the Ajah area of the state.
Vandi’s heinous act was widely c#ndemned by Nigerians and he was suspended two days after the incident. The convict faced a one-count charge of m¥rder contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Lagos state government had presented a one-count charge of murder of the lawyer against the defendant and subsequently arraigned him. Since the court trial started in January, the deceased’s husband, sister, police armourer, pathologist and seven others have testified against the defendant.
The prosecution tendered 27 exhibits. Vandi was the only witness who testified in his own defence. In his testimony before the court, Vandi told the judge that the b¥llet presented in court which was said to have k#lled Mrs Raheem did not come from the rifle he carried on the day of the incident.
