Omobolanle: Police Boss Recommends Suspension of ASP Drambi Vandi, Assures of Enabling Environment for Justice
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has recommended the immediate suspension of Assistant Superintendent of Police Drambi Vandi, the officer attached to the Ajah Divisional Headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command, responsible for the shooting and killing of Barrister Omobolanle Raheem while waiting for the detailed report on the incident.
The IGP noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.
The IGP further noted that the suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for necessary legal procedures to uphold justice in the case without interference.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP observed that the suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.
Meanwhile, the IGP has reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to the Rule of Law and assured the public of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that justice is not just done but seen to have been manifestly done in the matter.
He therefore appealed to the public to be calm as all hands are on deck to ensure justice prevails while measures have been put in place to prevent future occurrences.
The husband to late Lagos lawyer, Omobolanle has revealed how the Assistant Superintendent of Police Drambi Vandi shot and killed his wife on Christmas day at Ajah.
Gbenga Raheem who was with his wife in the car at the time of the incident narrated what led to the untimely death of Omobolanle who was reportedly pregnant.
Omobolanle, 41, was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Vandi, who was attached to the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State, was said to have spent 33 years in the police force and reportedly took the fatal shot unprovoked.
“On December 25, my wife, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who had come for the holiday, all went to church.
“On our way back, my wife said since it was Christmas Day, we should take everyone out, so, we went to a supermarket at Abraham Adesanya, then to Domino’s Pizza.
“After that, we headed towards Ajah to do a U-turn to come back to Abraham Adesanya. When we took the U-turn, we saw policemen stopping some vehicles.
“As we approached them, they said we should stop, and in the process, we heard a loud sound on my wife’s side window. All of a sudden, I saw blood gushing out of her chest.
“I immediately ran out; my sister-in-law, who was also with us, ran out and held the policeman; he cocked his gun at her too.
“Talking to him was pointless, so I went to see if anything could be done; I saw my wife gasping for breath, and by that time, my sister-in-law had brought the policeman into the car and pushed him into the front seat.
“We drove to a hospital but they said they couldn’t handle it; we eventually took her to Grandville Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
“The policemen took her body and put it in the truck; they wanted me to follow them but I said I needed to go and settle my children”, Omobolanle Raheem’s husband narrated.
