Bolanle Raheem: Court rejects policeman’s request in Lagos lawyer murder case

A Lagos High Court has dismissed a “no-case’’ submission filed by a police officer Drambi Vandi, who allegedly killed Bolanle Raheem.

Bolanle was shot dead on December 25, 2022 in the Ajah area of Lagos while in a vehicle with her husband and daughter.

Vandi was arraigned on January 16 on a one-count charge of murder after shooting the 41-year old pregnant property lawyer in the chest.

On February 28, dismissed ASP Vandi filed an application praying the court to quash the charge preferred against him.

Vandi’s lawyer, Gbenro Gbadamosi said the evidence of the prosecution witnesses were inconsistent and did not link his client to the murder.

On Monday, Justice Ibironke Harrison held that the prosecution, led by Lagos Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), had established sufficient oral and documentary evidence.

The court is currently not looking at the credibility of the prosecution witnesses at this stage, Justice Harrison said.

“The issue now is whether a prima facie case has been made by the prosecution and not whether it has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,’’ the judge ruled.

The state closed its case on February 15 after calling 11 witnesses comprising eight police officers, including Vandi’s colleagues, two eyewitnesses and a pathologist.

Lagos Director of Public Prosecution, Babajide Martins said an interlocutory appeal would not stop the trial in line with the state’s Administration of Criminal Justice Laws.

The case will resume on May 16, 2023 for the defendant to open his defence