BOLANLE RAHEEM: DRAMBI VANDI CLOSES DEFENCE IN ALLEGED MURDER CASE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Justice Ibironke Harrison, of a Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square Annex has ordered counsels in the case of the alleged murder of a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, by Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Drambi Vandi, on Christmas day, to file in their written addresses on the next adjourned date.

The Judge made the order on Wednesday, as the defendant, Drambi Vandi closed his defence after his testimony before the court.

The Defense counsel, Mr. Jude Ugwu, announced to the court that the defendant was the only witness they have. He however, prayed the court to give them 21-days to file and adopt their written addresses.

He said, “We shall be asking for a date for filing and adoption of final written address. We would prefer twenty-one days to enable us finish up”.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the witness in his testimony led by Mr. Ugwu, told the court he has never come across the bullet that was requested for by his counsel and it was not the same ammunition as the one that was originally in his rifle on 25th of December, 2023.

He also, explained how he had attended a local training school, where he had taken up a course on Arms and Ammunition.

He said that in the barracks he was, the police gets proper training every five months about rifles to refresh their memories.

Drambi also revealed that in the training school, was where he learnt about the different types of rifles, pistols and ammunition for Police Officers while adding that he was trained on how to couple and dismantle a police arms and ammunition.

When exhibit the bullet (P11a) and magazine containing six bullets (P19), was requested for by Mr. Ugwu, the witness (Drambi), explained to the court that, a portion of P19 is the shell of an assorted rifle and it is used in AK-47 rifle adding that the exhibit is a long range bullet.

“This one covers over 500 metres. If you line up 10 people, this particular bullet will go through all of them. When it is shot at a close range, it can’t remain inside the person’s body and also any object at close range, it must penetrate through it.

It must pass through at least four objects and this is not the ammunition in my rifle on the 25th of December, 2023. The rifle is automatic. By using this bullet, you must cork the rifle and anyone around that area will hear the noise of the cork.

Once it is fired, the shell will fall on the right side on the ground near the person that fired it and it will remain at the point of fire. The noise will be so loud when fired.

I’ve never come across this exhibit before even all through my training and it’s not the type of of ammunition used by the police.”

He also mentioned that, “I was disarmed by the DPO at Budo hospital. I booked 25 rounds from the amourer which i signed for. Same ammunition was inside the magazine, same ammunition was disarmed. When i was disarmed, the ammunition was not counted in my presence at Budo hospital.”

When he was cross-examined by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, the witness said on 25th of December, 2022, he was on duty at Ajah Underbridge and he was with a rifle that had 25 rounds of ammunition which he booked from the amourer and signed for.

He also told the court that he was not the only officer that was armed on that particular day.

“I resumed duty in the morning but I don’t know the time. I was with Inspector Ameh and Inspector Ibimene.

I was not the only one armed, Ibimene was also armed but i was the last man on guard. I stood about 100 metres away from where the affected vehicle was parked.

I went to the hospital with the driver, the deceased in the vehicle involved but not all of us was in the vehicle. Titilayo was not in yhe vehicle.

I was half dressed, wearing a mufti when i was arrested at Budo hospital and i was taken to the police station where i wrote my statement.

All of us were detained and we wrote our statements at Ajah and Panti. Non of us was released before we were transferred to panti.

I wish the deceased is alive and i regret her death. May her soul rest in peace.” He concluded.

After listening to the testimony, Justice Harrison, directed the counsels to exchange their written addresses and be ready for adoption in 21 days from now.

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 the lawyer’s death.

She however, adjourned the case to 13th July, 2023 for adoption of final written addresses.