Bolanle: NBA demands N5b for lawyer’s family

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, has said it will monitor the trial of Assistant Superintendent Drambi Vandi, the police officer that is alleged to have shot and killed Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem in Lagos on Christmas Day.

The Association will also press for monetary compensation of not less than N5billion for the family of the deceased by the relevant governments and agencies, including the Federal Government, Lagos State, and the Police.

NBA Lagos member and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, said this in a statement yesterday, adding that he was appointed to lead the NBA team of lawyers that will monitor the trial.

“In this regard, the NBA will be partnering with the Ministry of Justice during the trial.

“Mr. Adegboruwa has in turn obtained relevant briefing from the Hon. Attorney-General of Lagos State and has secured the assurances of an accelerated prosecution once the case file is received from the police.”

“The NBA is also seeking monetary compensation 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, through its Human Rights Committee.

The NBA will seek for payment of damages not less than five billion naira in addition to the prosecution of the killer.

NBA Lagos member and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, said this in a statement yesterday, adding that he was appointed to lead the NBA team of lawyers that will monitor the trial.

“The NBA Lagos in conjunction with the NBA President, Mr. Y.C. Mikyau, SAN, has decided to be part of the prosecution of the policeman as part of its efforts towards securing quick and effective justice for the family of the deceased,he said.

Mr. Adegboruwa, in addition, urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu 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.”

He 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 however,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.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu has promised to ensure an open investigation and prosecution of culprits in the murder of Mrs. Raheem.

He spoke yesterday morning when he visited the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Usman Baba Alkali, at the Police headquarters, Abuja.

“We really need to get a sense of security architecture in the state and ensure that incidents like this are reduced to the barest minimum.

IG Usman however,assured Sanwo-Olu there will be no cover-up in the murder case.