Drambi Vandi, the suspended Superintendent of Police, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Lagos High Court for the murder of Lagos lawyer Bolanle Raheem on Christmas Day, December 25, 2022.

Justice Ibironke Harrison of the High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos read the verdict on Monday, finding the suspended police officer attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah guilty of killing Ms Raheem, who was also pregnant at the time, at a checkpoint last year.

The murder of Ms Bolanle Raheem caused widespread outrage among Nigerians, political office holders, and then-presidential candidates, all of whom pledged to reform the police force and guarantee that justice would be done in the case.

NDR also reported that the former President of Nigeria, Muhammad Buhari, and the former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Alkali, directed the police across all levels and agencies involved to launch an immediate investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrator to justice.

As a result, the police identified Drambi Vandi as the suspected killer of the lawyer, and the Lagos State Government arraigned Vandi in court on January 16th, 2022, for shooting the lawyer at the Ajah underbridge on Christmas day, December 25th, 2022.

The police suspended him from his position in the force pending the outcome of a court hearing on a one-count murder charge brought against him by the Lagos State Government, in violation of Section 223 of the Lagos State Criminal Laws of 2015.

After several legal fireworks, including the introduction of 11 witnesses from the prosecuting legal counsels, including a pathologist, a few of Vandi’s coworkers, and eyewitnesses, nearly ten months later, the defendant himself served as the only witness for the defence. On July 13, the court, therefore, set the date of judgement following the acceptance of the parties last written address

Justice Harisson consequently concluded that the suspect was guilty of murder and should be killed by hanging as well “I hereby pronounce that you Drambi Vandi, shall be hanged by the neck until death. May God have mercy on you.”

In response to the court decision, Abiye Tam-George, Secretary of the NBA’s Sub-Committee constituted justice that Bolanle Raheem’s justice is served, stated, “Beautifully well delivered Judgement has just taken place. NBA has been at the forefront, Immediately we were informed of the tragedy, we had done everything humanly possible in contacting the Commissioner of Police, the Attorney General and we did everything. we are most grateful that the Judge did exactly what she has been sworn in to do. She has taken the responsibility to deliver Justice in good time.”

Olakitan Bolu Agbaje, the lawyer for Raheem’s family, also expressed her satisfaction with the ruling, saying that even though it could not bring Raheem back to life, it will give the family hope that the convict has been brought to justice and will receive his justifiable punishment.

However, Mr. Adetokunbo Odutola, the lead Counsel for Mr Vandi told the journalists that the defence would react after receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement which will determine the next line of action.

Speaking to journalists after the verdict, the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins, praised the Lagos State Government for creating an enabling environment for justice to be served. “Of course, I want to thank my team members for their industry, especially the Solicitor General, Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Shitta-Bay, who had also appeared on this case on a number of occasions,” he said.