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The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Thursday, vowed to ensure justice was served in the case of Lagos-based female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by a police officer on Christmas day.

The police officer, who was later identified as Drambi Vandi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, was attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, Lagos State.

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The cop and his team were said to have tried to stop Raheem and her family members as they drove back home from a church service.

Raheem was shot when her car attempted to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge and was later pronounced dead at the hospital to which she was rushed, causing outrage among Nigerians.

Reacting to the incident on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, on Thursday, the NBA’s 3rd Vice President, Mandy Asagba, chastised the police officer for violating the police code of conduct and assured the victim’s family that the NBA will pursue the case with them until justice is served.

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Asagba said: “They have rules and a code of conduct. One thing I have noticed with the system in Nigeria, particularly the police is that they kind of go outside the law at any point in time, they violate the law; they go contrary to the law most of the time. Constitutionally it was wrong, going by the police SOP, it is unacceptable, it’s so inhuman, it’s unthinkable I must say and I say to myself this could have happened to anybody.

“So if Nigerians are going to keep quiet at this then trust me anybody can be the next victim, but I thank God Nigerians are not keeping quiet The NBA President has said it without mincing words that we are ready to go all the way out, we are ready to be the complainants with the family, we are also ready to ensure that we are not just going to the root of the matter but to uproot the system of injustice happening in the land.”

IGP meets with Sanwo-Olu, pledges justice

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, yesterday, restated that justice will be served in the murder of Mrs Raheem.

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The IGP, who stated this while receiving Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, also cleared the air on the identity of the police officer arrested in connection with the murder of the late Raheem.

Speaking during the meeting, the governor said: “We have come here this morning to get an update and also to brief him on the security situation in Lagos, especially the death of the late Mrs Raheem.”

While condemning Raheem’s murder, Sanwo-Olu said he is collaborating with the police leadership in ensuring that the sad event does not repeat itself.

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PSC approves suspension of killer cop

Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission, PSC, yesterday, approved the suspension of ASP Vandi, who allegedly shot and killed Mrs Raheem.

The PSC, in a statement by its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani said: “The Commission also directed that the final investigation into the matter is concluded to enable the Commission take further necessary action.

“The Commission, in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, signed by the acting Chairman Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, stated that the Commission has carefully examined the facts of the case, observations and recommendation with respect to allegations against the officer and granted approval for the suspension of the officer from duty with immediate effect.”

(Vanguard)