Bolanle Raheem: Lawyer’s absence stalls ASP Vandi’s arraignment

The Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has stood down the arraignment of Mr. Drambi Vandi, the policeman accused of killing a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.

Justice I.O. Harrison made the order following the absence of a lawyer to defend Vandi.

Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo, SAN, told the judge that he was informed the defence counsel was on his way.

Vandi’s arraignment was scheduled for 9am.

The court had also earlier stood down the matter following the absence of the lead prosecution counsel.

Justice Harrison, upon being informed of the presence of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, and that of the NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Ikechukwu Uwanna, urged them to make arrangements for lawyer to defend Vandi pro bono.

Mr. Maikyau agreed.

Vandi, an Assistant Superintendent attached to the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, Lagos State, allegedly shot Raheem while she was returning from an outing with her family members.

He was arrested and appeared before Chief Magistrate C.A. Adedayo on December 30, 2022, a day after the Police Service Commission (PSC) approved his suspension.

The magistrate ordered that he be remanded at the Ikoyi custodial facility pending advice of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.

Following the advice recommending his prosecution, Vandi will now be tried under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 at the high court.