Bolanle Raheem’s Murder: Court Fixes Date To Deliver Judgment

A Lagos High Court will on Monday deliver judgment in the case of a police officer, Darambi Vandi, charged with shooting dead a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.

The court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square gave the judgment date on July 13, after the adoption of final written addresses by parties in the suit.

Vandi was arraigned on Jan. 16 on a count charge of murder but pleaded not guilty.

The court granted an accelerated hearing on the case.

Lagos State Government alleged that the defendant shot Raheem in the chest on Dec. 25, 2022, at Ajah Roundabout, on Lekki- Expressway, Lagos State, an offence that contravenes Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The prosecution team led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, called a total of 11 witnesses, including eight police officers.

The prosecution also presented two eyewitnesses and a pathologist.

Among the prosecution witnesses is Insp Matthew Ameh, who allegedly worked with the defendant at the time of the alleged murder.

The prosecution closed its case on Feb. 25.

On Feb. 28, the defendant, through his counsel, Mr Gbenro Gbadamosi, filed an application, praying the court to quash the charge against him.

Gbadamosi argued that the evidence of the prosecution witnesses was inconsistent and did not link the defendant to the alleged murder.

On April 3, the court, however, dismissed the no-case submission.

Justice Ibironke Harrison held that the prosecution established sufficient oral and documentary evidence linking the defendant to the alleged crime, which required an explanation from him.

Harrison added that evidence by the defendant would shed light on what happened.

On May 31, the defendant gave evidence and closed his case.

His counsel had told the court that Vandi was the sole defence witness.
On July 13, the parties adopted their written addresses, and the court reserved judgment until Oct. 9.

• Sodiq Lawal