BOLANLE RAHEEM: COURT DISMISSES DRAMBI VANDI'S NO-CASE SUBMISSION

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), has dismissed a no-case submission of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Dranbi Vandi, who allegedly shot one Omobolanle Raheem, a Lagos-based lawyer in the Ajah, area of the state on 25th December 2022.

Justice Ibironke Harrison, while giving her ruling on Monday, mentioned that the prosecution had called on some eye witnesses who testified before the court that the defendant pulled the trigger on the day of the incident.

Recall that, on 28th February, 2023, the defendant had filed his application, to quash the charge that was brought against him by the government, claiming that the evidence was too weak and cannot link him to the murder.

The state government preferred a one-count charge of murder contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 against the defendant and arraigned him for allegedly shooting the 41-year-old lawyer in the chest which led to her chest.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Harrison however, held that the evidence prosecuting team led by Attorney-General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), had established a sufficient evidence to sustain the charge linking the defendant adding that, perhaps when the defendant who is the only eye witness who has not testified in the case gives his evidence, it could shed more light as to what had happened on that day.

“She said, “The prosecution has established a prima facie case requiring some explanation by the defendant. The Court isn’t looking at the credibility of the prosecution witnesses at this stage. The court will not delve into the substantive case right now. The only real 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 prosecution on 15th February, 2023, the prosecution closed its case. Before closing its case, it had called on 11 witnesses made up eight police officers, two eyewitnesses and a pathologist.”

The defendant is however, called upon to take his defense.” She added.

After the ruling, the defense counsel, Gbenro Gbadamosi, asked the court for an adjournment to enable the defense team do a proper review on the ruling and decide whether to appeal or continue with the trial.

The Lagos State Director of Public Prosections, Dr. Babajide Martins, said that an interlocutory appeal of this nature will not stop the continuation of trial according to Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of Lagos state. He thereafter, applied for a date for further hearing and continuation of trial.

Justice Harrison adjourned the case till 16th May, 2023 for the defendant to open its case.