By Adedapo Adesanya
A court in Lagos has sentenced a policeman, Mr Drambi Vrandi, to death by hanging for the killing of Mrs Bolanle Raheem on December 25, 2022.
Justice Ibironke Harrison of a Lagos High Court announced the capital punishment for the police officer on Monday, more than 10 months since he took the life of the lawyer who was on her way home from a Christmas service at the Ajah Roundabout on Lekki-Expressway, Lagos State.
Mr Vandi was arraigned on January 16 on a count charge of murder by the Lagos State Government, alleging that the defendant shot Mrs Raheem in the chest, an offence that contravenes Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant had pleaded not guilty, but the court granted an accelerated hearing on the case.
The prosecution team led by the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, called 11 witnesses, including eight police officers.
The prosecution also presented two eyewitnesses and a pathologist.
Among the prosecution witnesses is Inspector Matthew Ameh, who allegedly worked with the defendant at the time of the alleged murder.
The prosecution closed its case on February 25.
On February 28, the defendant, through his counsel, Mr Gbenro Gbadamosi, filed an application, praying the court to quash the charge against him.
Mr 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 Harrison held that the prosecution established sufficient oral and documentary evidence linking the defendant to the alleged crime, which required an explanation from him.
She added that evidence from the defendant would shed light on what happened.
On May 31, the defendant, as the sole witness, gave evidence and closed his case.
On July 13, the parties adopted their written addresses, and the court reserved judgment until October 9.
