Drambi Vandi, the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) alleged to have killed a Lagos-based lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day, has asked the Lagos State High Court to discharge him because he has no case to answer.
The ASP, who is standing trial before the court, was accused of shooting Mrs. Raheem last December 25, 2033, near Ajah Underbridge, Lagos. The death of the lawyer triggered nationwide uproar as she was eight months pregnant with twins when she was murdered allegedly by Drambi.
Consequently, the Lagos State government filed a murder case against him in accordance with Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015
“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,” part of the charge against him read
Vandi pleaded not guilty and trial has since commenced.
At the resumption of proceedings on Monday, March 6, Justice Ibironke Harrison adjourned for ruling after the prosecution and defence counsels had adopted their final written addresses. Defence counsel Adetokunbo Odutola, in adopting Vandi’s final written address on a no-case submission filed on February 28, prayed the court to dismiss the suit. Odutola argued that the ballistics report tendered by the prosecution showed that the gun did not match the bullet that was shot.
According to him, the pathologist called in evidence by the prosecution stating that the bullet penetrated from the left through the armpit while the prosecution said that the deceased was shot in the chest. He concluded that with these “inconsistencies” and several others, the prosecution had not made out a case against his client to warrant him to enter a defence.
However, the prosecution team led by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo, opposed him, arguing that it had made out a prima facie case against the defendant making it necessary for him to put up a defence.
The defendant’s no-case submission was dated February 20 while the prosecution’s reply was dated February 24. The defendant filed a reply on point of law dated February 27.
The court finally fixed April 3 for ruling on the no-case submission filed by the embattled ASP.