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• Pix(above, R-L): IGP Usman Alkali Baba and Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu

There will be no hide –and-seek in the investigation and trial of Drambi Vandi, the killer of Lagos lawyer, Mrs. Bolanle Raheem, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has assured.

Baba spoke when Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, visited him in his office on Thursday.

The State Online reports that Mrs. Raheem was shot by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Drambi Vandi at Ajiwe in Ajah on Christmas Day while in the company of her family on their way from Christmas service.

The governor promised to ensure an open investigation and no-holds-barred prosecution of the culprits, saying the outcome of investigations was very important to the government and people of Lagos.

He stressed the need for process leading to justice for the victim to be transparent.

The governor said: “We have come here to extend seasons greetings to the Inspector-General of Police and also brief him on the security situation in Lagos State, especially the very recent unfortunate death of Mrs. Bolanle Raheem in the hands of a policeman.

“We really need to get a sense of security architecture in the state and ensure that incidents like this are reduced to the barest minimum.

“We also need better collaboration because we did not have any other police force.

“It is also important for us to come here and get a sense of how soon the offending officer can be charged to court.

“And we have gotten a positive response and engagement from the IG himself,” Sanwo-Olu said, adding that  “we are hopeful that this meeting will be very useful. There are a lot of things we are taking back home.

“We called the Commissioner of Police and he briefed us as to what they are doing in Lagos.

“Essentially, it is to continue to work with the Police, what we can do around providing some additional equipment, and ensuring we can jointly have advocacy programmes that can enhance and improve public and police communication”

Usman assured Sanwo-Olu there will be no hide-and-seek  in the gruesome murder of the victim.

He said: “Governor Sanwo-Olu is here to find out how far we have gone in investigating the incident that happened on Christmas Day.

“I have assured him that this incident will be thoroughly investigated.

“The state Attorney-General will intervene in the case for him to take over the prosecution from the police. I can assure you there will be no hanky-panky.

“We are saddened about the incident and again extend my condolences to the bereaved family, Lagos and Nigeria at large.

“We will continue to improve on our officers’ handling of firearms, and we also appeal to Nigerians to be responsible.”

 … As court remands killer cop over lawyer’s killing

Meanwhile, in keeping with the promise of the IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos has remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Drambi Vandi, the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who allegedly gunned down a Lagos female lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem on Christmas Day.

Vandi was remanded till January 30, 2023 pending advice on the case from the Office of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The court made the order following an application by the Lagos State Police Command.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Supol Benjamin Hundeyin, made the disclosure in a tweet on his official Twitter handle. 

Hundeyin, a Superintendent, said: “Drambi Vandi was, this morning, arraigned in court and has been remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre till January 30, 2023 to give room for DPP advice.”/SHARE THIS

• Tags: IGP Usman Alkali Baba, Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu