Bolanle Raheem: Lagos arraigns Vandi on murder charge

Pleads not guilty as court grants accelerated hearing

An Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP), Drambi Vandi, alleged to have killed a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas day at Ajah Lagos, has been arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).

The Lagos State Government arraigned the suspected killer on one-count charge before Justice Ibironke Harrison. He was charged for murder, contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, the State Attorney General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), who lead the prosecution team, told the court that the prosecution witness and the state is ready to commence trial.

The defence counsel, Adetokunbo Odutola who did not oppose the application, prayed the court for accelerated hearing. The prosecution witness, a police Inspector, Mathew Ameh thereby testified.

Ameh in his testimony told the court that his team, including the defendant was deployed to Ajah, Under Bridge, where they were conducting a stop and search operation.

He narrated to the court that his team tried to stop the deceased’s car, which was an unregistered vehicle but the driver didn’t stop and the defendant fired at the car.

After he listened to the witness, Justice Harrison granted an order of accelerated hearing and adjourned cross-examination of the witness and further trial to January 25 and 26, 2023.

The arraignment, which was scheduled for 9:00 a.m., was delayed till past 11a.m., when defence counsel, Mr. Adetokunbo Odutola arrived courtroom.