Crime
Bolanle Raheem: Nigeria Police Makes Another Shocking Revelation About Killer-Cop Vandi
Drambi Vandi, the police officer who fired the gun that killed pregnant lawyer Bolanle Raheem on Christmas Day in the Ajah neighborhood of Lagos State is unable to account for the two shots that were fired.
The above disclosure was made by the Nigerian Police Force’s spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, in an interview with Splash FM in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
Adejobi said, “The governor came, the Lagos state government has taken over the prosecution, the police is not prosecuting so let Nigerians hear now, the police is not prosecuting. It is Lagos state government that will prosecute. We have given them interim report, the case file has been handed over to them, every other thing will be done, either postmortem, ballistic of the gun and what-have-you.
“But we know that Vandi was the one who pulled the trigger based on our investigation because they gave him 23 AK-47 ammunition, he could not account for two. It is part of it, that is why you don’t fire anyhow because you must account for any ammunition given to you so he has not been able to account for two as at the time he was interrogated at Panti (Lagos State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department).
“Which means two (pieces of) ammunition being fired or used or swallowed, he must tell how it has been used. We want to assure Nigerians that justice will be done. It is quite unfortunate that it is happening to him. No matter how beautiful, no matter how handsome, fine, kind, useful he is to the people around him, it is a bad case. He is in detention.
“The CP has done what he is supposed to do and the IG has condemned it. Such will not happen but the thing is let us respect our law enforcement agencies. When they flag you down, whatever it is, stop.”
Biztellers had reported that the female lawyer was shot dead by Vandi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, on Christmas day.
Raheem, who was pregnant at the time of her death, was shot in the Ajah area of Lagos state.
The 41-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Vandi, who was attached to the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State, is said to have spent 33 years in the police force.
It was gathered that the deceased, a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, recently moved from litigation practice to property law.
She was the Chief Executive Officer of Croston Homes and co-founder of City Building, a real estate and property development company.
Meanwhile, Vandi has been suspended by the Police Service Commission. Last Friday, he was arraigned in court and remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre till January 30, 2023 pending advice on the case from the Office of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Crime
Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia
A police officer is reportedly dead and another injured following an attack by unknown gunmen on a police checkpoint in the Ohafia area of Abia State.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at Ugwu Abba Asaga, has sparked concerns over the rising wave of insecurity in the region.
The Abia State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack. However, when contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, assured reporters that she would provide updates, but no further details had been shared as of the time of this report.
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This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Abia State. On Monday, the Abia State government accused unnamed politicians and external parties of fueling kidnappings and violence targeting security personnel and civilians since May 2024. In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The promoters of violence and insecurity in the state will pay a heavy price,” the statement read.
However, John Okiyi Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, criticized the government’s position. He argued that insecurity in the state should not be politicized but rather addressed through actionable measures.
The attack has heightened tensions in the state, with citizens calling for swift action to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents and security personnel alike.
Crime
Ebonyi Police Crackdown Leaves Labourer Dead, Three Others Injured
A yet-to-be-identified labourer was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday, while three others sustained critical injuries, during an altercation involving the Crack Squad of the Ebonyi State Police Command at Ugwuechara Junction in Abakaliki.
Witnesses say the incident began when members of the Crack Squad stopped a motorcycle rider, accusing him of fraud and attempting to seize his motorcycle.
The rider reportedly identified himself as a member of the military but was allegedly assaulted by the operatives.
READ MORE: NCS Bars PoS Services, Others Within Apapa Command Premises
An eyewitness recounted, “As the policemen removed his cap and started hitting him with their guns, the bike man tried to resist them, possibly to snatch one of their guns.
“One of the team opened fire, which killed one of the labour seekers, who usually gather at the junction to look for daily jobs. Three persons were wounded and were rushed to the hospital.”
The deceased, a labourer waiting for work at the junction, was struck by the gunfire. Among the injured are a young apprentice at a barbershop and a female passer-by.
Witnesses say the police operatives took the body of the deceased and the motorcycle rider to their station after the incident.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
However, Obinna Mbam, the Special Assistant on Internal Security to Governor Francis Nwifuru, confirmed the incident.
“Normalcy has returned to the area,” Mr. Mbam said. “The state government will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The incident has sparked outrage among residents of Ebonyi State, who have raised concerns about the increasing cases of police brutality, extortion, and indiscriminate arrests.
Many residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the Crack Squad, which was established as part of police reforms following the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020.
Crime
IGP Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Senator, Two Others Over N400m Scam
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed criminal charges against former Nigerian senator Andy Uba and two others, accusing them of defrauding a complainant, George Uboh, of N400 million.
The charges, which include two counts, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, along with Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu, is alleged to have conspired with Hajiya Fatima, who remains at large, to defraud Uboh in 2022.
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According to the charges, the accused individuals falsely claimed they could secure the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone who could pay N400 million.
“The accused persons collected the N400 million from Mr. Uboh and converted it into their personal use,” the police said, describing the actions as a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act of 2006.
The police also revealed that six witnesses would testify against the accused parties.
The case was officially filed on 10 October 2023 by Abdulrashid Sidi from the Police Legal/Prosecution Section.
During a hearing on 13 November, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had been evading the service of court documents despite being granted administrative bail.
“The defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order, which had prevented the police from bringing them to court,” said M.L. Anthony, a lawyer for the prosecution.
“It was only after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.”
The trial, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was adjourned until 18 February 2025.
This delay allows time for the defendants to appear in court and take their plea, following the prosecution’s efforts to ensure they are properly served with legal documents.