NBA: Suspected murderer of Bolanle Raheem was in police service for 33 years

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has identified the police officer who allegedly shot and killed Omobolanle Raheem, a lawyer and lead consultant of Croston Homes in Lagos.

TheCable had reported that the shooting incident occurred on Sunday.

The deceased and her family were said to be on their way from a Christmas service when an officer attached to the Ajiwe police station in Ajah, Lagos state, shot her.

The incident has sparked widespread criticism, while the Lagos police command has said an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) and two other officers are currently in custody over the incident.

In a statement on Monday, Akorede Habeeb, national spokesperson of the association, said the errant officer has been identified as “Drambi Vandi”, an assistant superintendent of police.

“Since this terrible incident, the NBA has taken the initiative to uncover the facts surrounding the murder of our member,” the statement reads.

“In this regard, the NBA is able to report that the Lagos state police command has confirmed that the suspected murderer of our member is one ASP Drambi Vandi, an officer, who has been in the police service for 33 years!”

The NBA also demanded that the police “officially disclose and immediately release to Nigerians the fuller details of the errant officer and other officers responsible for this heinous act”.

“The NBA President has informed the police of the resolve of the NBA to be a complainant in this case along with the family of late Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem,” the association added.

“The NBA President has in this regard constituted a team comprising of National Officers, Chairman and Vice Chairperson of NBA Lagos Branch and Chairman of NBA Ikeja Branch with a mandate to follow up and ensure a speedy but thorough investigation of this crime.”

In addition, the association said during a meeting at the Ajiwe police station, it found that another man was killed by an officer attached to the same station.

“The NBA confirmed that on or about 7th December, 2022, another young man described as Gafaru Buraimoh who was innocently on his way to buy fuel was murdered in Ajah in a similar manner as our member by a police officer attached to the now notorious Ajiwe Police station,” the statement reads.

“The NBA is disturbed that the Nigerian Police seems to be back to the dark days of police brutality and admonishes that the lessons from the #EndSARS Protest should not be lost on any individual or authority. 

“Members of the NBA and Nigerians are assured that the NBA is committed to justice in this matter. 

“The NBA will not only get to the root of this incident, we will uproot it and take steps to deal with anyone found culpable in every lawful way. We will ensure that this does not happen to any citizen anymore.”