The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Lagos Branch will monitor the trial of ASP Drambi Vandi, the policeman that allegedly shot and killed lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem in Lagos on December 25, 2022.
The association says it will also press for monetary compensation for the family of the deceased by the relevant government agencies.
This was disclosed in a press statement released by Lagos Lawyer and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN.
Mrs Raheem was shot in the Ajah area of Lagos inside her car on her way back from an outing with her family.
Mr Adegboruwa says the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch to which Mrs. Raheem belongs, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwana, contacted Mr. Adegboruwa to lead the team of lawyers for the NBA that will monitor the trial of the policeman, as part of its efforts towards securing quick and effective justice for the family of the deceased.
The senior advocate of Nigeria revealed that he has in turn obtained relevant briefing from the Hon Attorney-General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN and has secured the assurances of an accelerated prosecution of the officer once the case file is received from the police.
The NBA is also seeking monetary compensation of not less than five billion naira for the family of Mrs Raheem from the government of Lagos State, the Federal Government and indeed the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission.
Mr. Adegboruwa urged Governor Babajide Sanwoolu to follow the model that he adopted during the EndSARS Judicial Panel to pay compensation to the family of Mrs. Raheem immediately since it is an established fact that her life was terminated illegally by a policeman. Mr. Adegboruwa also called for the immediate implementation of the EndSARS Judicial Panel Report in which far-reaching recommendations were made in relation to:
1. Psychological orientation for all police officers in the handling and use of weapons;
2. Training for police officers on basic human rights observance and enforcement;
3. Improving the welfare of all police officers in terms of their take home pay, conditions of service, their places of work and residences in order to make them more conducive;
4. Recruitment of more police officers to reduce the pressure upon the existing officers whose number is not adequate to effectively police the country.
Mr. Adegboruwa stated further that it is unacceptable that the issues that led to the 5 for 5 demands of the youths and the EndSARS protests in 2020 have not been addressed despite repeated promises from the government. He urged the government and the relevant authorities to go beyond mere press statements of lamentations on the gruesome murder of Mrs. Raheem and to accelerate the prosecution of the killer and payment of compensation to the family of the deceased and all other victims of police brutality.
