The Lagos State Government has arraigned Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Drambi Vandi, for the alleged killing of a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.
The state preferred a one-count charge of murder contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 against the defendant.
Vandi however pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Subsequently, the State Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, informed the court that there is a witness in court and the state is ready to commence trial.
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The defense counsel, Adetokunbo Odutola who did not oppose the application prayed for accelerated hearing.
Thereafter, a police inspector was invited to the witness box.
In his testimony, Inspector Mathew Ameh, told the court that his team including the defendant were deployed to Ajah under bridge where they were conducting a stop and search.
He told the court that his team tried to stop the deceased car which is an unregistered vehicle but the driver didn’t stop and Supol Vandi fired at the car.
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Giving an account of how the unfortunate incident happened, Inspector Ameh said that Vandii was the leader of their three-man team, on the day of the incident.
“Ebimini was in front, I was in the middle while Supol Vandi was the last man behind (us). As the car approached Ebimini, he flagged it down but the car drove past. It didn’t stop for him. The car got to where I was, I flagged it down; it didn’t stop for me.
“The next thing I heard was a gunshot. I looked back to see what was happening and I saw the vehicle with the glass falling. It was the front windscreen that fell off. The next thing I saw again was a dark woman jumping down from the vehicle and holding Supol Vandi. She said: ‘Oga, you have killed my sister.’
“The woman held him and before I and Ebimini could get to them, they had dragged Supol Vandi into the car, locked it, and zoomed off. We do not know where they drove to.
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He added that when they returned to their station, their DPO drove in with Vandi in a patrol van.
Thereafter, the three of them made a statement at the station before they were sent to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, SCIID, Panti, the next day for interrogation and another statement was obtained from them”
Justice Ibironke Harrison gave an order of accelerated hearing while adjourning till Jan 25 & 26 for cross examination and continuation of trial.
The arraignment, which was scheduled for 9am, suffered some delay untill about 11am when Vandi’s counsel, Mr Adetokunbo Odutola arrived.
